Tony Mowbray is open to the idea of bringing Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt back to Sunderland for next season.
Gelhardt joined the Black Cats on loan during the January transfer window, and was signed to provide support for the talismanic Ross Stewart.
However, Stewart was ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury within hours of Gelhardt putting pen to paper. As a result, Gelhardt has been thrown in at the deep end at the Stadium of Light - scoring three goals and contributing two assists in 16 appearances.
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Although Gelhardt has struggled at times for the Black Cats, Mowbray is interested in extending his loan, especially with the prospect of Stewart's return.
"If it [bringing back Gelhardt] was a possibility it's something, but there are a lot of things in the way," said Mowbray
"I would assume that young Gelhardt would want to go back to his parent club, wherever they're going, and play games, get a feel - the kid doesn't even know what league they're going to be in at this moment, when you look at the bottom of the Premier League. We all like him.
"For next year, that's Leeds' call and the player's call, but I've enjoyed working with him because as we all see, there have been days when it hasn't gone to plan for him, but he's still worked and chased and fought and you can never knock a player who does that for you."
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