Sunderland

• Middlesbrough are looking for their first league double over Sunderland since the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.

• Sunderland have won just two of their last 26 league visits to Middlesbrough (D8 L16), winning 1-0 in the 1996-97 season and 2-0 in 2005-06 campaign.

• Middlesbrough lost 6-1 to Chelsea in their last game, the second leg of the League Cup semi-final. On the last 15 instances they have conceded six goals in a match, they have remained undefeated in their very next game (W8 D7) since last losing in September 1954 (lost 6-1 to Ipswich, then lost 3-0 to Rotherham).

• Sunderland have only won one of their last nine away matches in the Championship (D3 L5), a 1-0 win at Hull City on Boxing Day.

• Abdoullah Ba has assisted three goals in his last three Championship appearances – he only registered two assists in his first 52 league games for Sunderland.

Michael Beale has shared his thoughts on Sunderland's transfer business during the January window.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed why Eliezer Mayenda was allowed to join Hibernian on loan for the remainder of the season.

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John Wenham of the Lilywhite Rose podcast joined BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport to give insight into Romaine Mundle's time at Tottenham and what Sunderland can expect from their new winger.

“He had a really interesting development plan at Tottenham. He was effectively the reserve for your now star player Jack Clarke. He wasn’t getting a lot of game time until Clarke departed the club to join Sunderland.

"He then came in at left-wing and had a really interesting and phenomenal really development over an 18-month spell where he became the star player of our under-21s team to the point where Tottenham offered him a new long term contract.

"He turned that down to explore other options and ended up signing for Standard Liege who in turn despite him not making many appearances out there have turned a decent profit on him. He’s only been in Belgium for six months.

“Had he renewed at Tottenham, I’m sure he would have been loaned out. His form last season was really attracting a lot of attention.

"I presume he just received an interesting financial offer and his agent suggested he took that but if the question arises why did he struggle in Belgium I think the issue might be that he never had a loan away from Tottenham. All he knew was Tottenham and the academy set up there.

"He was training with the first team towards the back end of last season. I think Tottenham were doing everything in their power to convince Romaine to renew and stay at the club but for whatever reason that didn’t happen but in terms of his playing style he’s a really exciting, get-you-off-your-seat type winger.

"When he gets the ball people are excited about what’s going to happen next because he’s got pace, he’s got power, he’s got trickery and he has a trademark shot where he cuts in and bends into the far right hand corner. That was a common goal but if there was something he’s got to work on, it is still that end product of laying off the ball at the right time. He can be a little selfish.

"So, hopefully Sunderland fans will give him time because I think you’ve got to remember he’s not played a lot of senior football and it is a huge transition from academy football into the levels of the Championship.

"I never heard anything bad about him. I watch a lot of games and I know of lot scouts and agents down at Tottenham and yeah, he was very much a well-liked chap. He will obviously be friends already with Dennis Cirkin who’s at the club and also Jack Clarke. He should have no issues settling in.

"I’ve only ever seen Mundle play on the left-wing so I would see this more, and Sunderland fans won’t like me saying this, as Sunderland looking for one for the future, for that replacement for Jack Clarke.

"Obviously his contract is coming down and there will be big bids in the summer. Sunderland have done very well to keep Clarke in this window, in my opinion.

"They’ll be looking at Romaine to really step into that role and there is ability there, absolutely. So, it depends how he makes that transition from academy football into senior men’s football."

Kristjaan Speakman has spoken about Sunderland's pursuit of Amad Diallo and how it affected other deals in the January transfer window.

Sunderland travel to the Riverside Stadium this Sunday (12.00 GMT) hoping to secure a second successive win in the Championship after the much-needed win v Stoke last weekend.

Michael Beale's side will also be hoping to enact revenge on Carrick and company, after the Smoggys won 4-0 in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light.

Boro are three points behind the Black Cats as both sides sit just outside of the play-off places.

Let us know your score prediction and any other pre-match thoughts here.

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Michael Beale has given his reaction to Sunderland's transfer window.

The Black Cats head coach has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes about the business the club conducted in January.

Beale discussed his familiarity with the new signings, the lack of new striker and more.

Listen to the full interview here.

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Kristjaan Speakman has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes about the Sunderland's transfer business.

The sporting director explained why the club didn't sign a striker: "The nine position is very similar to the rest of them which is you have three of four targets that you obviously have to try prioritise.

"I think the forward position is always an area you want to try and strengthen and improve if you can.

"We went right down to the wire on three or four of them and then at the end of it, you know, it wasn't meant to be for various reasons. Availability and ultimately choice.

"I think sometimes finance can get drawn into it. Ultimately, you've always got a choice if you want to go and spend more and more but there also comes a point where you have to evaluate that against the value.

"On this occasion that didn't come through for us so it's not something that was sitting around in huge frustration if I'm quite frank with you.

"We're happy we improved the forward line with Romaine joining us and ultimately we've got three players in the building that we believe in and obviously we want to make sure that they can have the opportunity.

"They also need to step up and perform don't they."

Listen to the full interview here.

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Kristjaan Speakman has spoken about Sunderland's January transfer business.

The Black Cats' sporting director has spoken to BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commmentator Nick Barnes about the lack of striker signed, allowing Mayenda to go on loan and how close the new boys are to being fit to play.

You can listen to the full interview here.

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Callum Styles' move to Sunderland has been a long time coming.

The midfielder says "I'm just buzzing. Buzzing I'm here, finally. It's been a couple of years in the background working on it but finally I'm here and I'm really happy to get started."

As has become custom for players coming to Wearside, Styles is a workhorse. He says "I give 100% every game. I'll bring quality to the team. Obviously it's a really young team, a lot of quality already, I'm just looking to add to that."

Styles is a player with ambition too, with he sights set on the Premier League: "We need to push for promotion this year. Obviously last year came a little bit short but the lads did really well and hopefully this year we can get over the line."

The 23-year-old has a lot of experience for his age with over 200 domestic appearances and a regular at international level for Hungary.

"We've done really well, the national team. Obviously, qualified for the Euros which is a massive achievement.

"I think I've got about 18 caps so yeah, I'm really experienced at that level and hopefully I can bring that experience to Sunderland and help the lads kick on."

Styles also says he wants to add more goals to his game and is excited to play in front of the 40,000+ crowds at the Stadium of Light.

"Ever since I was a kid, the club's been absolutely huge. The fanbase is incredible.

"What was it last game, 41,000 at the game? So, just to play in front of that most weeks is a bit different to what I've been used to. Obviously at international level we get 60,000 a game so I'm equipped for that.

"I just can't wait to play in front of the fans."

We asked for your comments on Sunderland's January transfer business.

Here are some of your responses:

Adrian: I worry about losing another academy player this time to Brighton and two more targets chose other Championship teams over us. Why are we not attracting players?

Dan: I think there were three priorities: 1. A striker 2. A striker 3. A striker. So not the best window really.

Ant: After a transfer window you hope your squad has improved. I don't think even Speakman could claim that this time. A solid, reliable, experienced player departs replaced by wingers with 'potential' that we don't need anyway. Oh, nearly forgot - just where is that goalscorer that everyone knows we need.

Kathleen: What a shower. Not a clue. We're going backwards. Laughing stock of the North East. How long can we go on without a recognised striker?

Mike: Three middle of the road signings. Loss of a key quality experienced player who would rather play for Mowbray than Beale. Still no punchy number 9. What is there to like about that?

Lawrence: Poor transfer window as expected. How is it that a club the size of Sunderland cannot compete with the likes of Ipswich for Kieffer Moore?

Pete: Underwhelming window which doesn’t address any of our issues. Talk of Diallo and Moore, as expected, amounting to nothing. Absolutely zero ambition shown. Now waiting for the ultimate irony of Mowbray’s Birmingham finishing higher than us.

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Sunderland have announced a late transfer signing bringing Rhys Walsh to Wearside.

The 17-year-old winger arrives from Northern Ireland and will be part of the Black Cats' academy set-up but has made senior appearances for old club Glentoran including in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

On the club website, academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “Rhys is a player we have coveted for some time and he spent a period with us on trial earlier in 2023.

"He is an exciting forward, who can operate on either wing or play centrally, and he will join our Under-18 set-up for the remainder of the season.

"We are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland and after gaining senior experience this season with Glentoran, we hope that he will be able to settle quickly and hit the ground running.”

The January transfer window is now closed!

Sunderland secured the signings of Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle on permanent deals while Callum Styles joined the club on loan with an option to become permanent at the end of the season.

Hjelde comes from Championship rivals Leeds and is a ball-playing defender who can play left-centre-back, left-back and left-wing-back.

Mundle is a pacey winger joining from Standard Liege who came through Tottenham's academy system.

Styles from League One's Barnsley is a utility-man compared to Luke O'Nien in terms of the amount of positions he can play but is most comfortable in central midfield.

Harry Gardiner, Jack Diamond, Jewison Bennette, Nectarios Triantis, Jay Matete and Eliezer Mayenda all left Wearside on loan deals while Alex Pritchard and Josh Robertson left the club on permanent deals.

How do you feel about the Black Cats' business in the transfer window?

Have your say here.

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Eliezer Mayenda has joined Hibernian on loan for the rest of the season.

The Spanish striker joins defender Nectarios Triantis at the Scottish side.

Mayenda joined Sunderland in the summer but suffered injury early on and has since struggled to get into the first team and is yet to score his first goal for the club.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says, “Eliezer is an exciting prospect and we are really pleased by the way he’s adapted to the English game and embraced life at Sunderland.

"Opportunities for regular playing time in our senior team are limited at present and we wanted to ensure we made the best use of the remaining games this campaign.

"We believe this opportunity will achieve that outcome in a comparable environment that will provide big games in big atmospheres, which will benefit Eliezer ahead of a return to the Stadium of Light next season.”

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Callum Styles has signed for Sunderland from Barnsley.

The midfielder joins from the League One side on an initial loan with an option from the Black Cats to make the deal permanent.

On the club website, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says, “Callum is an interesting player, who has the ability to play on the left side of central midfield or slightly wider in a full back or wing back role, so we feel his quality and flexibility will be a real benefit to us throughout the remainder of the season.

Having reached an agreement in principle last week, we had an unavoidable delay due to Callum’s illness, but after reviewing his progress, we are now delighted that he’s here and we look forward to his imminent return to action.”

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Jay Matete has joined Oxford United on loan for the rest of the season.

The midfielder has made the move to the League One club for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old has been injured throughout the season so far and spent the second half of last season with Plymouth Argyle.

On the club website, sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman says, “We were pleased with Jay’s progress last season and he returned from his loan spell ready to challenge for a place in our team.

Unfortunately, he suffered a setback in pre-season but he’s worked hard to return to fitness and ensure he’s ready for the second half of the campaign.

Jay’s immediate requirements are best supported by playing regularly in the coming months and we hope this move provides a platform for him to do that.”

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Josh Robertson has joined Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 18-year-old midfielder was a prospect in the youth teams but was yet to make a first team appearance.

On the club website, academy manager Robin Nicholls said: “Josh’s scholarship was due to expire at the end of this season and after indicating that he did not wish to commit his future to SAFC, we reluctantly accepted to pursue the next-best solution for the Club and the player.

"We are disappointed that Josh will be departing the group, as he is a player with potential that we hoped could eventually progress into our senior team, but we wish him well for the future and are proud to have played an integral role in his development.”

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Marco Gabbiadini has been talking about how highly he rates Abdoullah Ba.

On BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport, the former Sunderland striker said, "I like Ba. He's a bit of a fire starter.

"He takes the ball to the opposition. He wants to go past people. He's got some silky little tricks hasn't he? He has a little feint and goes past people quite easily.

"I've always been a fan of him actually, so it'd be nice to see him get a bit more of an influence and I think when he does get these minutes, he comes on or does get the odd game because of injury or whatever, he always seems to have an impact on the game whether it's an assist or the odd goal here and there.

"He's another one who I'd be pleased if he got a few more opportunities to show us really what he's all about.

"He has got a bit of pace about him as well. You know, sort of, tight areas, he can wriggle through spaces and get towards the goal. I think we need a little bit more of that.

"A little bit more adventure around the box rather than... Sometimes with Roberts, he does like to pass in little triangles, move the ball and get it back in a different place where as I think Ba sometimes is a bit more direct and gets you where you want to be quicker."

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Sunderland target Kieffer Moore has joined Ipswich Town on loan from Bournemouth.

Fans were hoping for the striker to join the Black Cats to answer calls for an experienced forward but the club were unable to compete with The Tractor Boys to pay for Moore's wages.

Keep up with all transfer news here.