Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris says Blues target Jack Clarke trained with the Black Cats this morning and will be able to play in their game at home to Burnley on Saturday “at the moment”.

Town have made a £15 million offer to the Wearsiders for Clarke with add-ons believed to take the deal to £20 million.

The Championship side are currently considering the offer but for the time being Le Bris says Clarke is in his plans for the weekend.

"Jack trained this morning, which is my main concern,” Le Bris told the Sunderland Echo. “So he is able to play this weekend at the moment.

“Many of our players are targeted by the other teams because the transfer window is like this when you have talented players in the squad.

“These are the rules of the transfer window, we need to be confident and it is good news to have these players in our squad. Sometimes, they can leave, this is the rule of our job. We will see.

“He's been working with Doddsy [coach Mike Dodds] on his previous game, working on his clips and what he can improve.

“For me he is still with us. If he wasn't, he wouldn't be working with Doddsy to improve himself. We are professional, this market is unstable, something could happen in one direction or the other. We'll see.”

Town have been looking to add another left-sided attacker throughout the summer, having come close to signing Jaden Philogene from Hull City before the England U21 international ultimately opted to return to his former club Aston Villa.

The Blues are also after another centre-half with Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodžić the subject of strong interest.

Should that deal get done, then Town would almost certainly look to move on one of their centre-halves with George Edmundson perhaps the most likely with long-time admirers Portsmouth again reported to be interested.

Photo: Matchday Images

carlo88 added 18:54 - Aug 22 I really like Edmundson wish we'd keep him.
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ArnieM added 18:59 - Aug 22 I’d move on Woolfenden …any suitors out there I wonder?
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Essexnblue added 19:02 - Aug 22 Carlo88, The reality is would you rather keep Edmundson a third choice centre half or sign Clarke who is a match winner?
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MK1 added 19:21 - Aug 22 Sounds like he is on the move then. Double announcement tomorrow with Broja.
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ploughman added 19:26 - Aug 22 This is amazing news - Clarke would be an amazing addition and a centre-back is essential. I'd happily allow Edmundson to move on - Woolfy is much calmer on the ball and would be good cover. You've got to love the ambition: Muric, Johnson, Hutchinson, Philips, Cajuste, Szmodics, Greaves, Delap and now Clarke and CB. Lastly, McKenna! What a close season!
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bobble added 19:34 - Aug 22 The leagues would be so much better if you could only choose footballers from your clubs local area. A county wide or city wide talent area with teams using .local players would remove big money from the game and prove who really are the best footballers..
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Wallingford_Boy added 19:35 - Aug 22 Essexblue - I think you’re a little confused. Different positions and the story relates to the Sheff Utd centre back, nothing to do with Clarke!!
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ITFC_Singapore added 20:40 - Aug 22 I'd keep Edmundson ahead of Woolfy as well. Although would like to see both stay as back ups if the squad size allows. Another starting CB is a priority though to play alongside Greaves or in a 3. Clarke would be a fantastic signing.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 21:11 - Aug 22 I don't understand the criticism of Wolfenden. He has been a key member of the squad over the last two years and for me still is one of the first names on the sheet.
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rdibble added 22:26 - Aug 22 Bring in Jack and Dara that would be grand
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BeattiesBackPocket added 00:05 - Aug 23 As much as woolfy does have a mistake in him and I’m on the fence as to whether he’s prem quality both him and greaves were immense against Liverpool and built up a good partnership. He needs more time for me at the moment.
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