Lee Johnson says Jermain Defoe's mooted return to Sunderland is a 'fantastic idea in principle' but cautions that any deal would have to be right for all parties.
Defoe left his role as player-coach at Glasgow Rangers this month and has been heavily linked with a move back to Wearside as a free agent, four-a-half years after he left the Black Cats in the wake of the club's relegation from the Premier League.
And this morning he told radio station Talksport: "To be honest, it's been mad. My phone has gone mad.
READ MORE: Jermain Defoe says Sunderland return is an option as he plots his next move
"We've got a few options.
"Sunderland is one and I think it's well documented that it is there."
Asked about the Defoe situation this lunchtime, Johnson did not rule out a move for the 39-year-old but did say 'at the moment, it is not there'.
"I've heard the media clip of Jermain on Talksport this morning," said Johnson.
"We know the script with that one. He's a good guy, the fanbase is all over it, obviously he is 39 years of age and that brings with it a wealth of experience.
"At the same time, a lot of things would have to happen for any potential move to happen and a lot of people would have to be happy with it, and at the moment it is not there.
"There are so many elements that go into it.
"You've got the football side, the condition of the player in terms of gametime, the injury record, everything has to be looked at in fine detail.
"And one of the biggest things is the connection between coach and player - that becomes really important.
"Thinking about Danny Batth annd the others that we have brought in, I have always felt that connection.
"Of course they are signing for the football club, first and foremost, but the coach is picking the team and that is really important.
"In principle, it sounds like a fantastic idea, but at the same time there are so many intricacies that have to be right for all parties to be able to be comfortable and happy with any particular signing."
Sunderland have made two signings this month already, with centre-back Batth joining from Stoke City while young full-back Trai Hume has arrived from Northern Irish side Linfield.
But the Black Cats are still looking for more reinforcements, with Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts strongly linked with a move to Wearside.
However while Defoe is a free agent which allowed Johnson to speak more freely about the player, Roberts is under contract at the Etihad Stadium and he would not be drawn on a potential move for the 24-year-old.
He said: "I can't speak about it, I'm sorry.
"He belongs to Man City.
"Patrick is a top player and an interesting player, but it's not something we can discuss."
Several Sunderland players have been linked with moves away from the Stadium of Light this month, with speculation that one of those - young centre-back Ollie Younger - could move to League One basement side Doncaster Rovers.
Johnson confirmed that there has been interest in Younger this month, without specifying from which club or clubs, and said the Black Cats would have to decide what to do with the 22-year-old.
Asked what he could say about Younger's situation, he said: "Only that there has been interest, so it's definitely a talking point.
"Ollie is a cracking lad - whether he stays here and signs a five-year contract or whether he moves on. I'd always be championing him as a human being and as a personality.
"We just have to decide what is right for Ollie, really, in that sense and every bit of interest has to be taken on its merits - naturally, putting Sunderland first, but also considering Ollie and his career."
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