Ross Stewart's contract situation remains unresolved with Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray admitting the club could do with some clarity over his long-term future. Negotiations over a new deal have dragged on since last summer and, even though the Black Cats last season activated their option to extend his stay for a further 12 months, Stewart is currently in the final year of his current contract.
Mowbray was asked on a near-weekly basis last season about Stewart's status but there was little he could say given that contract talks are part of sporting director Kristjaan Speakman's remit. Speakman himself said recently that the signals he was getting were that the Scotland international 'would like to stay' and refused to disclosed whether the Black Cats had received any bids for the striker, who is known to have attracted interest from Glasgow Rangers amongst other clubs.
In the meantime Stewart, who turned 27 yesterday, is still working his way back towards full fitness after suffering a ruptured Achilles in January which cut short his season and which will also see him miss the start of the new campaign in three-and-a-half weeks' time. Despite missing almost three-quarters of last season, Stewart still reached double figures in terms of goals after finding the net 10 times in 13 games and that underlined his importance to the team.
Asked for an update on Stewart's contract situation, Mowbray said: "I don't know to be honest. I don't think there's any change otherwise it would have been news and would have been out there.
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"I don't sit across the table with Ross or his agent and discuss that sort of thing. All I know is we could do with him.
"He's an exceptionally good player in this league and he's shown that. Even though he hasn't played many games in this league, his goals-per-game is quite incredible and I know how influential he is in our dressing room even though he's not fit and available."
The uncertainty makes it difficult for Sunderland to plan ahead as they could be faced with a choice of allowing the player to move on this summer or risk losing him for nothing in 12 months' time. Mowbray said: "In an ideal world Ross signs a new contract and the team looks so much stronger. If it can't be done for whatever reason, I understand that.
"As I keep saying to them, I was a footballer for 18 years and over 20 years from leaving school. I've been there, seen it and know what it's like, especially when you get to a certain age when you have a family and responsibilities.
"If you have opportunities then I understand where Ross is sitting. Let's wait and see how it unfolds over the next few months."
Sunderland have already brought in one new striker this summer in the shape of Portuguese teenager Hemir Semedo but as things stand he is the club's only fit, senior, frontman. Mowbray has also said several times that he hopes at least one more striker will be in place before the season begins.
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