Welcome to the Sunderland AFC live blog for Friday, January 5.
The Black Cats started 2018 on the wrong foot, with a 1-0 home defeat to Barnsley for Chris Coleman's side.
It was a disappointing blow on the back of the win over Nottingham Forest, and it also saw Darron Gibson go off with a groin injury.
Sunderland are already looking to strengthen in the transfer window, and Coleman will now have to contend with more injury troubles.
We've got all the latest on the Black Cats recruitment attempts, plus we'll look ahead to Saturday's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough .
Join Sean McCormick for all the latest from the Stadium of Light throughout the day.
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Sunderland Transfer News
Key Events
Chris Coleman
Hopefully he won’t be looking so gloomy after tomorrow’s FA Cup tie...
How have Sunderland fared in the FA Cup
A little look back to Sunderland’s history in the third round...
Sunderland win race to sign Ben Woodburn
According to the Daily Mail and Daily Star, Sunderland have won the race to sign Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn on loan.
Leeds had also been interested, but as we reported for a number of weeks the young winger was always looking more favourably at a move to the Stadium of Light because of his connections to ex-Wales boss Chris Coleman.
Coleman confirmed yesterday that a signing is close and he hopes it will be complete before tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough. Whether that is Woodburn or not remains to be seen, although that does look to be the case.
Former SAFC man on the move. .
Yann M’Vila has reached a contract agreement with St Étienne, due to join for free, according to RMC.
That deal depends on UEFA approval, with his Rubin Kazan future still up in the air. More here:
Injury crisis at Sunderland?
It’s not looking good!
Good morning!
Hope you had a lovely Thursday evening! We’ll kick start with the transfer news.