Roker Roundup: Sunderland and Swansea linked with signing of £400k, 26-goal Scottish sensation

Sunderland in for hot-shot

Sunderland are one of twenty clubs interested in signing Scottish sensation Lawrence Shankland according to the Daily Record.

They claim that Ayr United are expecting him to leave during the upcoming January window, and that Swansea City are even prepared to pay £400,000 in order to secure his signature.

The article goes on to say:

Ayr had been hoping to find a buyer who would allow the 23-year-old to stay on loan at Somerset Park for the duration of the season as they try to blast their way to the Premiership but Record Sport understands there’s no chance of that happening if Swansea’s bid is accepted.

Shankland has a rather amazing tally of 26 goals already so far this season in the Scottish Championship and is out of contract in the summer, which ultimately could force the hand of his club, who really aren’t in a position to let him run his current deal down.

Daily Record

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Linked non-league star plays for League Two side

Sunderland were recently linked with a move for Whitby Town forward Junior Mondal after the former Middlesbrough youngster impressed in his spell with the Northern Premier League club.

Jack Ross will have competition if he wishes to sign the the pacey 21-year-old however, as he has joined Forest Green Rovers on trial this week.

His club are without a game this week and they were happy for Mondal to join the League Two side for a trial period, but Blues boss Chris Hardy says he remains under contract to Whitby:

Forest Green approached us and asked for permission for him to go down for a day of training on Monday and then a game today, and with us having no midweek commitment, we were fine with it.

Junior came to Whitby Town to try and impress and propel his way back into full-time football, he’s an ambitious kid and we respect that.

He’s a contracted player to Whitby Town Football Club, so until we hear anything concrete, nothing changes in that regard.

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Carson out for the season

Sunderland academy product Trevor Carson was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis after returning from international duty with Northern Ireland.

Carson had played during a 1-0 defeat by Austria before returning to Motherwell and was admitted to University Hospital Wishaw after feeling unwell.

The 30-year-old will require on-going treatment on his DVT for a period of six months, so it is likely that he will be unable to play until pre-season at the earliest.

The goalkeeper took to Twitter last week to thank his many well wishers.

Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

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Stokes departs Iranian side

Anthony Stokes made a surprise move to Iranian side Tractor Sazi earlier in the season, and has a had a successful spell in the Persian Gulf Pro League after scoring eight goals in just 11 games.

The former Sunderland striker had been signed by former Wales manager John Toshack but he departed back in September - and Stokes appears to have joined Toshack in leaving Tractor Sazi.

The Tasnim News Agency claim the forward left during the last international break and subsequently terminated his contract with the club. Scottish striker Lee Erwin has also reportedly left the club due to homesickness.

Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images