Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is eyeing up 23-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder John Buckley as he looks to bolster his Black Cats squad in the upcoming January transfer window, according to reports.
Although currently sat in 11th in the Championship table with 30 points, Sunderland are only four points away from the promotion play-off positions, and should they win their game in hand this evening against a struggling West Bromwich Albion, then that gap can be reduced to just one point.
With a promotion play-off spot well within reach, a considered and trusted January recruit could be the difference maker, and Buckley will be viewed as just that.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray insists he is on board with the Sunderland plan ahead of the January transfer window
Despite being just 23, the midfielder has already amassed an impressive 102 Championship appearances since graduating from the Rovers academy into the first team back in 2019, posting a prolific 15 goal involvements in that time.
It was in fact under the management of Mowbray that Buckley was given his chance in the first team set up and if reports are to be believed, the duo could be reunited in the North East next month.
Under Mowbray, Buckley was a reular at Ewood Park, making 20 appearances in his first full campaign with the club he joined at the age of six in 2006, before going on to make 28 and 22 appearances in the subsequent two seasons.
However, game time this term has been harder to come by, only starting seven of a possible 22 Championship games, meaning a move to the Black Cats could suit all parties.
This interest shouldn’t come as a surprise with this being only the latest example of Mowbray looking to his former side for reinforcements. Blackburn star Bradley Dack was also linked to a move to Sunderland in recent weeks as Mowbray looks towards a play-off push with his new side, his seventh in his near 20 year managerial career.
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