Roker Roundup: Sunderland legend Jermain Defoe linked with move that could free up former target

Blades move for Defoe?

Sheffield United have been linked with a sensational move for one-time Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe.

According to the Sun, Blades boss Chris Wilder wants to make a push for promotion in the second half of the season and intends to target the out of favour Bournemouth striker to spearhead that push.

Sheffield Star reporter Alan Biggs revealed last month that Defoe - and Shane Long - will be January targets of Sheffield United.

Should the Blades be successful in their chase for Defoe, what could that mean for Billy Sharp? The veteran hitman was a target for Sunderland in the summer but stayed at Bramall Lane and has already reached double figures for the season but could the possible arrival of Defoe spark Jack Ross to renew his interest in the Sheffield United striker?

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Quinn on Phillips and Keane

Robbie Keane announced the end of his playing career last week, as he takes his first steps into coaching under Mick McCarthy with the Republic of Ireland.

Sunderland legend Niall Quinn has been discussing the man who succeeded him as the top goalscorer for his country and says the resurgence he enjoyed at the end of his career was down to Keane and Kevin Phillips:

Robbie Keane also came at the right time in my career. I was coming back from my second cruciate, suffered in the first season at Sunderland.

I had missed most of the ‘96/’97 season and in the following summer, Peter Reid signed Kevin Phillips; Robbie Keane made his international debut in ‘98. Week in, week out, I had Kevin Phillips at Sunderland and Robbie every month or so for Ireland.

How privileged was I? A Golden Boot winner and Ireland’s greatest ever goalscorer, and me, a bloke in his 30s, hobbling round and enjoying a lovely Indian summer thanks to those two.

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Loan roundup

Elliot Embleton and his Grimsby Town team made it to the third round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 away win at Chesterfield.

Charles Vernam gave Grimsby the lead in the first half and Harry Clifton doubled the Mariners advantage with 20 minutes left to play, Embleton almost made it three late on but after cutting inside his effort just went over the bar.

Max Stryjek came up against the manager who signed him on loan for Eastleigh on Saturday afternoon, as Andy Hessenthaler returned to the Silverlake Stadium with Dover Athletic.

The game finished all square, despite the visitors leading 2-1 with just four minutes remaining as a Paul McCallum rescued a point for Eastleigh.

There were some grumbles from the crowd before the equaliser, with Dover in control of the game and it was left to Stryjek to bring the crowd to their feet with - according to Eastleigh’s official website:

The loudest cheers came for their shot-stopper Stryjek and his spontaneous runs into midfield to try and start attacks.

Lamine Kone started for Strasbourg in their 4-1 win at Rennes in Ligue 1. The Ivorian defender got an assist for his side, as he set up Pablo Martinez’s backheel which completed the scoring.

Luke Molyneux started for Gateshead and the winger had a couple of chances to open the scoring at National League leaders Leyton Orien but Josh Koroma gave Orient the lead, then five minutes later Molyneux was substituted and the home side completed a 2-0 victory through Macauley Bonne late on.

Connor Shields came on with a little over 20 minutes remaining for Alloa Athletic during their home game against Ross County but by that point the visitors were completely dominating and got the goal their play deserved when Keith Watson scoring an injury time winner.

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