Jack Ross on the futures of Sunderland youngsters Elliot Embleton, Max Stryjek and Bali Mumba; Elliot Embleton and Max Stryjek have enjoyed loan spells away from Sunderland in the first half of the season, while Bali Mumba could potentially benefit from one.
Byline: Craig Johns
Jack Ross admits he's still yet to make his mind up about Elliot Embleton's short-term future ahead of the January transfer window, but young goalkeeper Max Stryjek will return from his loan at Eastleigh.
The twoBlack Catsacademy graduates have benefited from loan spells away from Sunderland in the first half of the season, playing regularly to gain valuable first team experience.
Ross faces the dilemma of leaving them out on loan to gain further experience, or bringing them back to Wearside to add extra cover to the first team squad as they push for automatic promotion back to the Championship.
The decision is particularly tricky with England U20 international Embleton, with the midfielder playing regular League Two football at Grimsby. His fine form means they're keen to extend his loan to the end of the season, with the player himself admitting last week he was open to that also.
Ross said of the 19-year-old: "It is a difficult one and will be driven not just by me but him as well.
"In football it is interesting, when you sign or bring players in on loan there is often this 'well, am I going to play' but with the greatest will in the world you can't guarantee any player that.
"Even with the young players, 'am I going to get opportunities?' Well you might get opportunities, 'will I play every week?' - who knows?
"That is something Elliot will have to weigh up as well.
"I have been pleased with how he has done on his loan spell, he couldn't have done any more in terms of why we put him out on loan and what he could get from it.
"That makes what we do with him next that bit more challenging because he has done so well.
"If he had gone there and hadn't played regularly, the decision would be easier."
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Like Embleton, Polish U21 goalkeeper Stryjek has also impressed while out on loan, albeit a division lower in the National League with Stewart Donald's former side Eastleigh.
Stryjek has started all but one game since his arrival, and the one he missed was due to international duty. He's kept five clean sheets in 13 games and is well liked on the south coast.
But with second choice goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter out of contract in the summer and therefore potentially available for transfer next month, Ross...
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