Cats keeper linked to move north of border

SUNDERLAND’S young goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is being linked with a loan move to Scottish Premiership strugglers Hamilton Academical.

Patterson is considered to have a bright future by the Black Cats and a move north of the border would see the 20-year-old gain valuable first-team experience.

The Accies are currently struggling in the Scottish Premiership, sitting in 11th place, having claimed just 17 points from their opening 18 games.

Academy graduate Patterson has made two appearances in the EFL Trophy this season but is yet to make his league debut.

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson said he was looking forward to working with the promising goalkeeper ahead of their game against Oldham in the Papa John’s Trophy earlier this month.

The youngster is highly rated on Wearside and signed a contract extension in June earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s game against Fleetwood town at the Stadium of Light has been rearranged.

The game will be played on Saturday, January 9, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Black Cats have already faced Joey Barton’s side twice this season, once in the league and once in the Papa John’s Trophy.

The Wearsiders were defeated by the Fishermen in the group stages of the competition as both sides fielded weaker sides.

The League One match has been slated to take place on Tuesday, February 23, but with both clubs already out of the FA Cup, they have opted to move the game forward.