The Chronicle

Ross confident that defensive reinforcem­ents are on their way to Sunderland

LOAN DEAL FOR DEFENDER ON THE CARDS

- By JAMES HUNTER james.hunter@reachplc.com @JHunterChr­on

Sunderland writer SUNDERLAND’S pursuit of defensive reinforcem­ents remains on track with Jack Ross still confident that he will have a new signing in place this week.

The Black Cats boss said last week that he hoped to bring in another defender on loan at some stage this week and insisted today that a deal is still edging closer, although he is understand­ably refusing to name any names.

“Obviously, I’d like to do it as early as possible and my understand­ing is that everything seems to be on track and hopefully as the week develops we’ll be able to complete that deal,” said Ross.

Asked whether the move depended on other factors falling into place, he added: “It’s like anything – it’s not always straightfo­rward, that’s why I’m always careful to say that until things are finalised, things can change.

“But I had another conversati­on this morning about it and everything I have been told today is that it will still happen this week. I hope that will be the case and, if it is, it should be in the next few days.” Sunderland are short of defensive cover, and Ross is understood to be looking to bring in a centre-back who could also cover at least one other position.

At present, the Black Cats are relying heavily on their first-choice central defensive pairing of Tom Flanagan and Jack Baldwin, but the demands of the busy fixture schedule mean they cannot play in every game. Ross is likely to use tonight’s Checkatrad­e Trophy game against Newcastle United U21s as an opportunit­y to give one of the pair a rest, with Alim Ozturk likely to play. But with Glenn Loovens still sidelined and youngster Jack Bainbridge suffering a hamstring injury playing for the U23s against the Magpies on Friday, Ross’ options are limited.

Of Bainbridge, he said: “I saw the video [of the U23 game] yesterday, and in fact the medical staff let me know on Friday even as we were travelling down to London.

“The initial diagnosis is that Jack will be a few weeks and from what I’ve seen of the injury, it’s not one of those where you take him off and it’ll be OK in a couple of days.

“It was a blow because he would have been involved in the game. I have been really pleased with him, I’ve liked what I’ve seen of him playing for the U23s and when he has had chances in the Checkatrad­e he has been really good.”

Ross will essentiall­y have the same squad as he took to Charlton Athletic at the weekend, with Lee Cattermole still suspended, and Bryan Oviedo, Adam Matthews, and George Honeyman not yet ready to return, but could bolster it by adding youngsters such as Benji Kimpioka and Jack Diamond.

It’s like anything – it’s not always straightfo­rward, that’s why I’m always careful to say that until things are finalised, things can change

 ??  ?? Jack Ross hopes to make a signing by the end of the week
Jack Ross hopes to make a signing by the end of the week

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