Tony Mowbray insists Sunderland remain determined to 'entice' Ross Stewart to sign a new contract on Wearside - despite the continued transfer speculation surrounding his star striker. Stewart's 26 goals last season caught the eye of a series of clubs, and the fact that the Scotland international has followed that with nine goals in ten outings since stepping up to the Championship has meant that there are new would-be suitors being linked with him on a daily basis now that the January transfer window is open.
Stewart scored again to earn Sunderland a 1-1 draw at Blackpool yesterday - the fourth successive game he has found the net since returning from a three-month injury lay-off. But despite all the rumours, Mowbray is relaxed about the situation, pointing out that Stewart still has 18 months left on his current deal and discussions are ongoing regarding a new contract.
"Ross has got 18 months left on his deal, so there's nothing to be said really," said Mowbray, following the game at Blackpool. "I think he knows he is at a football club with a huge support base, with huge potential, with some really talented players that are creating chances for him and he is scoring goals.
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"I don't think Ross is in any rush to do anything, and I'm pretty sure the club is in no rush to do anything other than to try and entice him to sign a new contract. Those discussions, I'm sure, will be ongoing."
Sunderland could not afford to lose Stewart at present as he is the club's only senior centre-forward after Everton recalled Ellis Simms from his loan spell on Wearside on Saturday. Instead, Simms' departure means the Black Cats need to recruit competition and cover for Stewart in the window.
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