Tony Mowbray expects contract talks with Ross Stewart to intensify despite the striker's injury lay-off - with Sunderland keen to tie the Scotland international down to a new deal.
Discussions between Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and Stewart's camp have been running since last year but as yet no agreement has been reached, and in the interim the Black Cats have triggered an option to extend his current contract for a further 12 months until the summer of 2024.
Stewart was in red hot form this season, scoring 10 Championship goals in just 13 appearances before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury at the end of January in Sunderland's FA Cup tie at Fulham. And far from the injury leading to contract talks being put on the back burner, Mowbray feels they should be stepped up in the coming weeks.
