News came through this morning that Connor Wickham would be allowed to leave the club on loan if need be in order to get game time. It appears now that this has gone through as Sheffield Wednesday have pounced for his signature.
The Owls have been long term admirers of him, and were credited with an interest during the summer for taking him on loan. Ipswich Town are thought to have a first refusal right on taking him back on loan but optioned not to take it up.
It's an odd move given we've only three strikers available to us and he's one of them, as well as being a regular from the bench and occasional impact substitute.
Wickham has signed for the Owls on a youth-loan deal, and can be recalled after 28 days but not before.
A huge gamble form O'Neill over the next few weeks. Sunderland only play four games in that time, but considering we could easily lose Steven Fletcher and/or Danny Graham to injury, it's something to be concerned about.