ROKER ROUNDUP: The story of how Lee Cattermole almost left Sunderland to join Stoke... in 2014

Embleton nominated

Sunderland youngster Elliot Embleton has been nominated for UEFA’s goal of the season for the 2017-18 season.

The 19-year-old was nominated for his sublime strike against Turkey in the under-19 European Championship over the summer.

There is one goal from each of the main UEFA tournaments, decided by UEFA’s Technical Observers, and the midfielder is up against Lucy Bronze (formerly of Sunderland Ladies), Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitri Payet, Christian Eriksen, Olga Carmona, Gonçalo Ramos, Eva Navarro, Ricardinho, Elisandro and Paulo Estrela.

The Technical Observers said of Embleton’s goal:

Very good build-up and switch from left to right followed by a fine piece of individual skill and a superb left-foot finish.

You can vote for Embleton to win UEFA’s goal of the season award HERE.

Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

How close Cattermole came to leaving

While Sunderland and Bordeaux remain in advanced talks for the transfer of Lee Cattermole, a story has emerged that tells how close he came to leaving the club in the past.

When Poyet brought in Liam Bridcutt from Brighton back in 2014, Sunderland were in talks to sell Cattermole to Stoke City and according to the Stoke Sentinal, that move almost came off.

The report claims that the midfielder had travelled to Stoke on transfer deadline day in January and was parked up just down the road from Stoke’s training ground. While Stoke worked to complete the move, they even provided Cattermole with free pizza while he waited for the go-ahead to complete the move.

Poyet then pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute and the midfielder went on to become a key player that season under the Uruguayan. They may now be reunited in Ligue 1 with Poyet pursuing a loan deal for the 30-year-old.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Family joy for trialist

Kacper Przybyłko remains on trial at Sunderland as the striker looks to earn a contract at the Stadium of Light but it’s been a big weekend for his family, with two brothers starring in the sporting world.

Firstly, older brother Mateusz won a gold medal in high jump at the European Athletics Championship thanks to a jump of 2.35 metres (a personal best). After which the 26-year-old couldn’t quite grasp what he’d done:

I can’t find any more words, I’m just exhausted, exhausted, I’ve given everything; I can hardly stand any more.

Then Kacper’s twin brother Jacub got a goal and an assist in TuRU Dusseldorf 2-1 win over FSV Duisburg and afterwards spoke of his happiness at the big weekend for his family:

An amazing weekend for our entire family and a unique experience.

Kacper presented himself in England at Sunderland AFC for trial training, but watched the competition on the TV.

When the 60,000 spectators cheered Mateusz on their rhythmic clapping, I got goose bumps.