Leeds United youngster Joe Gelhardt will be Sunderland's sole striker for the remainder of the season after the Black Cats failed to sign another forward on deadline day in their battle for promotion from the Championship.
Gelhardt left Elland Road in a bid to get some vital first-team action to aid his development. What he was surely not expecting however was to find himself as the only viable centre-forward at his temporary side.
The 21-year-old was cup-tied for the Black Cats' FA Cup fourth round draw against Fulham, a game that changed the trajectory of Gelhardt's time in the north east drastically.
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Sunderland's talisman and leading goalscorer Ross Stewart was stretchered off in the first-half with an Achilles injury that looks set to be season-ending. Tony Mowbray would have been desperate to find further cover for the man who has netted 40 goals in 81 appearances during his time in England, yet the club failed to bring in another striker on deadline day.
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This means that Gelhardt will now be their sole recognised centre-forward for the rest of this term. Leeds would have been eager for their highly-rated star to go and get some vital first-team experience, but even they would have not expected this much pressure to fall on his shoulders.
Sunderland are currently sat in 9th, but are just four points behind third-placed Middlesbrough as they find themselves competing for the play-off places. Gelhardt will be desperate to show his parent club that he can become the man to lead the line for them in the future and knows just how big an opportunity he has been given.
Whites supporters will get their first chance to see Gelhardt in action this weekend with a trip to 8th placed Millwall. The former Wigan Athletic star will no doubt be eager to hit the ground running during a loan spell that could prove to be a defining moment in his career.
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