ROKER ROUNDUP: Midfielder refuses to talk about speculation linking him with move to Sunderland

Reported target focused on national team

Sunderland were again linked with Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara this week, with the Daily Mail claiming we scouted the Finnish international as he appeared as a substitute in last Friday’s 1-0 win over Estonia.

The 22-year-old followed that appearance up with his first international goal, as he scored a late second for the hosts in their Nations League victory over Greece.

Following the game, Kamara was asked about Sunderland’s alleged interest and he said he was only focused on the national team:

I’m more focused on just what is happening here. I focus on the national team, and I do not pay much attention to such a thing.

Dundee based Courier Sport claim Sunderland are in no hurry to sign the midfielder, although with Kamara out of contract at the end of the season, they say a pre-contract agreement in January cannot be ruled out.

Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Rodwell on Rovers start

Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell was snapped up by Blackburn Rovers in the summer after his contract at the Stadium of Light was cancelled.

The future England centre-back only made his first league start for Rovers in the 1-0 derby win over Bolton Wanderers before the international break but the 27-year-old says he’s enjoying his time at the club and never fell out of love with football, despite his Sunderland woes:

I’ve never really fallen out of love with it but the lads have been brilliant, the staff have been great and the fans have been great.

It’s been a nice change and I feel good.

On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been involved this last week but since I’ve been at this club I’ve really enjoyed it and the lads have been great, with a great team spirit and I think that will get us through the season really well.

You can listen to the full interview below.

Onuoha on QPR offer

Nedhum Onuoha joined Major League Soccer outfit Real Salt Lake last month and made his debut as a late substitute during a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City at the end of September.

Speaking to the BBC, the former Sunderland defender said Queens Park Rangers had made him an offer to stay at Loftus Road before he decided on a move to America but initially QPR had asked the veteran defender to play for free.

After their club captain refused that offer, the London club came back with an offer that was ‘incentive-based against appearances’:

I’d only missed about 10 weeks of football in three years so I felt it wasn’t right, especially as I knew they were trying to recruit other players for similar or more money.

The 31-year-old then went into detail on his decision to head to the MLS rather than continuing in the Championship:

If you are not in contention at the top of the Championship you are trapped in a kind of purgatory with nowhere to go.

You end up just playing out the fixtures.

Do people stay in the Premier League or the Championship because they are the best leagues? This might sound callous but maybe not. Clubs pay a lot and there are home comforts.

I could’ve been playing somewhere from June or July but I wasn’t necessarily orientated to do that and was fortunate to not be in a financial position where I had to take any offer.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images