ROKER ROUNDUP: Bradford coach on Sunderland’s Charlie Wyke interest & Embleton’s absence explained

Embleton receives England U19 call-up

Some Sunderland supporters will have noted that one man not amongst the Sunderland squad during pre-season has been young central midfielder Elliot Embleton, who many expect will become an integral part of Jack Ross’ squad for the coming League One campaign.

There’s nothing sinister about it though - he’s simply part of Paul Simpson’s England 20-man squad ahead of the 2018 UEFA European U19 Championships, which kicks off this Tuesday against Turkey.

The Academy of Light product is one of just two players representing League One clubs in the Three Lions squad, and having featured heavily for his country over recent seasons it’s thought that he’ll play an important part - although he faces some tough competition for his spot in the side.

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The tournament is taking place this year in Finland, and England are in a tough group alongside France, Ukraine and the aforementioned Turkish side that they’ll face off against in their first game of the group stages.

England won the competition last year so will be keen to reclaim their title, and should they reach the final again this time around they’ll play on Sunday 29th July - just six days before our season opener with Charlton Athletic at the Stadium of Light.

Goalkeepers: Ellery Balcombe (Brentford), Jamie Cumming (Chelsea)

Defenders: Trevoh Chalobah (Ipswich Town, on loan from Chelsea), Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion), Ed Francis (Almere City, on loan from Manchester City), Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea), Dujon Sterling (Coventry City, on loan from Chelsea), Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Tom Bayliss (Coventry City), Elliot Embleton (Sunderland), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Nya Kirby (Crystal Palace), Adam Lewis (Liverpool), Max Sanders (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough), Kelland Watts (Newcastle United)

Forwards: Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest), Niall Ennis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), George Hirst (OH Leuven), Ben Morris (Ipswich Town)

Bradford Coach on Wyke interest

Roker Report understand that Sunderland have submitted a new, much more substantial bid for Bradford forward Charlie Wyke after their first approach was rejected and are waiting to hear back from the Bantams on whether or not the money on offer is enough to tempt them into allowing the player to leave.

In a conversation with the Telegraph & Argus Bradford this past weekend, head coach Michael Collins has admitted to the interest in his player and has talked up his credentials as a professional.

The newly-appointed Bantams gaffer said:

Everybody is aware of the interest. It’s quite common within the press. I haven’t heard anything directly from the chairman with regards to what’s happening with Charlie.

But credit to Charlie. He has come in and applied himself exactly as I thought he would.

I knew Charlie before I took the role on. I expected nothing different and I’ve seen nothing different. He’s been an absolute grade A professional and I expected nothing different.

Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images

Sunderland are incredibly keen on Wyke and see him as a good fit for what Jack Ross wants to do with his side next season, but apparently face competition from Bolton Wanderers.

Peterborough United dropped their interest in him after seeing a bid rejected last week, instead signing former Hibernian striker Jason Cummings on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest.

It’s thought that Wyke is keen on a move to Sunderland, and with Stewart Donald working frantically to get new players through the door its thought that the club are keen to get the ball rolling so that they can get the former Middlesbrough forward in sooner rather than later.

Luton Town game sells out

Sunderland have announced that tickets for the upcoming away game at Luton Town have sold out, with 1002 mackems expected the fill the tiny away end at Kenilworth Road on the 11th of August.

Tickets were in short supply for this one and only fans with a high number of loyalty points were able to secure them, with no tickets going to general sale on this occasion.

Sunderland’s last visit to Luton was a memorable one as we beat the already-relegated Hatters 5-0 on their own turf, securing the Championship title in the process thanks to goals from Daryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes, Ross Wallace and David Connolly.

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