Tony Mowbray is keen on the idea of bringing Joe Gelhardt back to Wearside next season - although much would depend on how Leeds United see the striker's future. Gelhardt joined Sunderland on loan in January with the Black Cats planning to use him to support Ross Stewart, however that strategy was torpedoed within hours as Stewart suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in an FA Cup tie at Fulham before Gelhardt had even had chance to make his debut.
Since then, Gelhardt has had to plough a lone furrow up front in a role that does not bring the best out of him. But the prospect of bringing the 20-year-old back to Sunderland next season to play alongside Stewart is something Mowbray has not ruled out.
Leeds' own plans for Gelhardt are unclear, with the Yorkshire club having already changed manager since the frontman was allowed to join Sunderland and there is no certainty that current incumbent Javi Gracia will stay at Elland Road beyond the summer - and much may also depend on whether Leeds stave off relegation or find themselves back in the Championship next term. "If it [bringing back Gelhardt] was a possibility it's something ... but there are a lot of things in the way," said Mowbray, as his side prepares to continue its play-off challenge against Watford at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.
