ROKER ROUNDUP: Reports in Belgium claim that Club Brugge still want Sunderland left back Oviedo

Oviedo still wanted

Despite already having a bid rejected for Bryan Oviedo, Club Brugge are still interested in the Costa Rican international.

According to voetbal24.be, the Belgian side are willing to make a new offer for the left-back but will have to up their initial offer of €2m if they wish to sign the 28-year-old.

Due to Oviedo’s high wages, Sunderland are keen to get him off the wage bill ahead of the new season and the player will be keen to take advantage of some solid displays in the World Cup to find himself a new club.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

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Checkatrade Trophy Draw

The preliminary draw for the group stage of the Checkatrade Trophy took place yesterday and we have been drawn alongside Carlisle, Morecambe and an “invited club”.

The invited club will be one of seven under-23 development sides that have been invited to join the competition, so we’ll play one of Everton, Leicester City, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion or Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sunderland and Newcastle United, as well as Southampton and Portsmouth were not permitted to be drawn against each other in the group stages.

The invited clubs have been restricted to fielding two players over the age of 21 and more than 40 first-team appearances.

Due to the rules of the competition, all invited clubs will play their games away from home so although the fixtures haven’t been arranged yet we are guaranteed at least one home game.

The full draw will take place Wednesday 18 July.

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More trials for former Sunderland players

After yesterday’s news of Dan Wright and Darron Gibson joining Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic on trial, two more Sunderland players have joined up with new clubs in the hopes of winning a contract.

Sunderland academy product Ben Wilson has joined fellow League One side Shrewsbury Town on trial. After leaving the Stadium of Light for Cambridge United in 2014, Wilson had a spell with Accrington Stanley after a solitary appearance before signing for current Premier League side Cardiff City. The 25-year-old has only made four appearances for the Welsh club and has had loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Rochdale, Oldham Athletic and AFC Telford.

Wilson is expected to play a part against Championship side Bristol City today and will be hoping to impress enough to earn a contract with the Shrews.

Meanwhile, former Sunderland winger Ross Wallace has joined Gibson in trying to earn a contract at the DW Stadium. Wigan manager Paul Cook has confirmed the duo are on trial and may play a part in their friendly against Tranmere Rovers later today.

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Fletcher going Greek

Former Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is a wanted man, with Greek side Panathinaikos hoping to strengthen their front-line by signing the Scotland international.

According to sport24.gr, the Greek side’s Technical Director - and former Newcastle United defender - Nikos Dabizas is in England to negotiate with Sheffield Wednesday in the hopes of coming to an agreement.

The 31-year-old has previous experience of playing abroad thanks to a loan spell at Marseille during his Sunderland days.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images