Sunderland are watching academy midfielder Josh Carson, according to one of this morning’s tabloids. Northern Irish U17 international Carson, a second-year scholar, netted twice yesterday as Town’s U18s beat Reading 4-3 at Playford Road.
Carson, 17, has impressed since joining the Blues after leaving school, rejecting Premier League Fulham and a number of other clubs to move to Suffolk, and was named on the bench for the Carling Cup tie at Exeter earlier in the season.
He seems likely to make more of an impression on the Town first team squad as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, released keeper Richard Wright, back from a spell training in the US with Frank Yallop’s San Jose Earthquakes, is being linked with Sheffield United.
Elsewhere, Cardiff’s Stephen McPhail says that Bluebirds boss Dave Jones vetoed his recent proposed loan move to Town: "It was nice to be linked with Roy and Ipswich, but it was out of my hands and in the end our gaffer said it wasn't an option.
"But I was lucky enough to train and play with Roy during his playing days. He was one of the best players in the world, the best I played with.
"He's a legend in my eyes and, being from Ireland, he's someone I really respect. It was a joy to watch Roy play football when I was growing up. He's been someone I've tried to emulate on the pitch. Roy was a super player."