Sunderland

All eyes will be on the Riverside on Monday night as Middlesbrough and Sunderland face-off in a Tees-Wear derby (20:00 GMT) which will be screened on free-to-air TV.

The Black Cats sit fourth and will be hoping to keep up the pace in the race for automatic promotion while two places but 11 points behind them, Boro will be seeking to solidify their spot in the play-offs.

• Middlesbrough have lost just two of their past 27 home league games against Sunderland (W16 D9), remaining unbeaten across their last six home outings against the Black Cats.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, Sunderland are looking to record a first league double over Middlesbrough since the 1961-62 season.

• Middlesbrough have lost two of their past three league games (W1), as many as in their prior 13 league outings combined (W6 D5).

• Sunderland have lost just two of their past 11 away league games (W4 D5), keeping a clean sheet in five of those matches. They will be looking to win consecutive away matches in the Championship for the first time since October, however.

• Heading into this weekend, Finn Azaz has created more chances than any other player in the Championship this season (62). Indeed, only Borja Sainz (18) has been directly involved in more goals than the Boro man in the same time (17 – eight goals, nine assists)

Middlesbrough's move for former Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara could be off, with the Finland international, who has also been linked with Sunderland and Burnley, now reportedly ready to move to Saudi side Al Shabab. (Northern Echo, external)

Sunderland's ambitious bid to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson on loan could be scuppered by West Ham (Football League World, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column.

Sunderland face competition from Leicester and French Ligue 1 club Marseille in the race to sign Ajax's former Boro striker Chuba Akpom, 29. (The 72), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Getty Images/BBC Sport

Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is wanted by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. (The Sun), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Monday's gossip column here.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor is not thinking about his recent disappointments.

The 24-year-old missed two late penalties in a goalless draw at Burnley earlier this month and then had a goal controversially disallowed at Derby last Tuesday.

Isidor returned to the scoresheet in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle.

"It was a tough week, it didn't start well but I'm only thinking about the present, not the past," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I showed character on the (second) penalty but my team-mates also pushed me to say 'you take it.'

"I wanted to take it and that was life - I missed - I will miss again in my life, I will score lots but I'm not frustrated about that, it's behind me now and I'm focused on the future."

Isidor also confirmed he will remain on penalty duties for the Black Cats.

The Frenchman's strike against Plymouth was his ninth league goal of the season and he has been keen to thank head coach Regis Le Bris for his support.

"The coach and me have a good relationship, he's pushing me every day to progress and get better," Isidor added.

"He helped me a lot after what happened at Burnley and all the staff and players as well and that's what's pushing me to react quick and forget about what has happened in the past."

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris lamented his side's second-half performance following their home 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle.

Wilson Isidor opened the scoring for the Black Cats after Argyle had taken the lead through an own goal with Trai Hume volleying in Sunderland's second before Nathanael Ogbeta snatched a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser.

"At the end I think we were a bit lucky to win a single point," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I think we started well because the first half was OK, but we were faced with a very compact block and we found some solutions sometimes, but we didn't create many chances."

"During the second half I think we made many mistakes and we opened our shape and they found solutions to create chances and they scored.

"It was deserved from them and we came back in the game - but at the end it was more direct for them and we didn't manage the end of the game properly."

West Ham are tracking English midfielder Dan Neil but Sunderland are reluctant to let the 23-year-old depart during this window. (Guardian), external

Oxford United won't cash in on 21-year-old Tyler Goodrham during the transfer window despite interest from the likes of Leeds and Sunderland. (Oxford Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

The Championship's bottom side Plymouth Argyle visit promotion contenders Sunderland on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Argyle - five points adrift of second-bottom Luton Town and six points from safety - have not registered a single league win since their 1-0 victory over Portsmouth in November.

Hosts Sunderland are having a better time as of late, fourth in the table and winning three of their past four league games (W3 D1).

• Sunderland have lost seven of their past 10 league games against Plymouth in the second tier (W3 L7), though did win this fixture 3-1 last season.

• After winning the reverse fixture 3-2 in September, Plymouth will be looking to complete a first league double over Sunderland since the 1991-92 season.

• Sunderland are unbeaten across their past 13 home league games (W9 D4), last enjoying a longer run at the Stadium of Light between May 2018 and April 2019 (21 games).

• Plymouth have failed to win any of their past 16 away league games (D3 L13), scoring three goals in total. The Pilgrims last endured a longer winless away run between March and December 1991 (18 games).

• Eliezer Mayenda has been involved in four goals in his past four league games (2 goals, 2 assists), with these being worth seven points to Sunderland.

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts on Wilson Isidor's controversial disallowed goal against Derby on Tuesday.

Here are a selection...

Jon: Goal. Ref who was closest to the action didn't blow for an infringement, linesman never raised flag for offside, presumably fourth official communicated through earpiece- what does he spot from the halfway line that the ref and linesman combined don't see? Embarrassing officiating.

Lewy: The "ghost" goal at Derby was a shambles in the way it was dealt with. The linesman didn't raise his flag at anytime during the build up, the actual goal or afterwards, disgraceful really.

Chris: The officials were caught napping - definitely not offside.

Andy: An explanation is needed from the officials to how they came to that decision.

Moz: Was it VAR by stealth? Referee was in the best position to see everything and didn't originally disallow the goal. No offside flag, I assume because there wasn't an offside to give. My only thought is that the fourth official spotted something on the monitor and got a message out. Unbelievable Jeff!!

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor saw his strike clatter with the underside of the crossbar to put the Black Cats 2-0 up against Derby County on Tuesday... or maybe not.

After a lengthy discussion between the referee and his two assistants, the goal was chalked off for offside.

But was it offside?

Do you think the goal should have stood?

Or was it the right call?

What do you think?

Let us know your thoughts on Isidor's ghost goal here.

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County's Pride Park witnessed a curious case of a 'ghost goal' on Tuesday that had many in the ground and watching from afar wondering what was going on.

Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham lifted a sumptuous ball over the top of the Rams defence for Enzo Le Fee to run onto.

Was there a hint of an offside at this point? Sure. Any flag raised? No.

Le Fee then managed to work the ball to Wilson Isidor, who was picking himself up off the ground after colliding with a defender.

The forward kept his cool, and slammed his effort home off the underside of the crossbar. A great finish that had appeared to put the promotion-chasing visitors' win beyond doubt.

Initially, it appeared as if referee Sam Allison was thinking the same thing.

This is where things got fuzzy. And even when players and managers were talking to media afterwards, no-one seemed completely sure of what to say.

While the Championship doesn't make use of a video assistant referee (VAR), it doesn't mean the officials aren't connected to one another and constantly talking over the radio.

It is understood that the two assistant referees were talking Allison through what unfolded and why the goal shouldn't count.

It wasn't a VAR-length review or debate - the sort that leaves some people cursing technology's encroachment on the game - but it went on long enough for almost everyone to think Sunderland were 2-0 ahead.

Isidor, it was decided, had been offside when the initial ball was played over the top and while he wasn't the first to the ball, he impacted how Derby dealt with the danger, with his run tripping up Ebou Adams as he tried to reach Le Fee.

There are still images taken from television cameras showing where players were stood, but anything anyone says at this point will be debated as right or wrong.

In the end, it was a 'ghost goal' of no consequence as Sunderland hung on for a 1-0 victory to move up to third in the table.

Still, a goal that seems to be a goal, then is not given as a goal and has people scratching their heads, gives us all something to talk about.

Chelsea academy graduate Harvey Vale has attracted the eye of Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Oxford United as well as overseas interest. (Sky Sports, external)

The Black Cats and QPR are also interested in Celtic winger Luis Palma, who is also drawing the eye of Stoke City and Swansea City. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip here.

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after the Black Cats beat Derby County 1-0 at Pride Park.

"I don't know, really [about why Isidor's goal was disallowed].

"Maybe with VAR we could analyse the first ball and maybe an offside, but I don't think it was that decision. It was higher up the pitch and at the moment we don't know.

"It could have changed the outcome of the game, but at the end it was another tough game and the balance was different for the duration.

"We started maybe a little slowly because they are direct, and then after 15 minutes were good and created many chances in the first half. And if you don't score the second goal, you know that the opponent will believe until the end and it happened like that.

"It's good for our character because it shows that even in these circumstances we are ready to defend until the end.

"I'd also like to have a more relaxed end to the game because it's important to avoid last-minute equalisers, and we have had them before."

Derby County welcome Sunderland on Tuesday as pressure mounts on Rams manager Paul Warne (19:45 GMT).

Derby have not won a league match in their past four league games to leave them only one point clear of the bottom three, while Sunderland's Friday fixture against fellow promotion contenders Burnley ended goalless.

Derby had success at Pride Park at the start of the season but the Rams have only won two of their past eight home games, whereas the Black Cats have only lost two of their past 10 away games.

• Derby are winless across their past 13 league games against Sunderland (D5 L8) since a 1-0 win at Pride Park in February 2001 in the Premier League.

• Sunderland are unbeaten across their past six away league games against Derby (W4 D2); the Black Cats' longest ever such run in this fixture.

• Derby have won two of their seven Championship games this season that have taken place in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), losing three of them (D2); they did, however, win their last such game at home against West Brom 2-1 in December.

• Sunderland have won all four of their league games against newly promoted sides in the Championship this season, scoring eight goals and conceding only once.

• Derby boss Warne has won one of his previous five Football League encounters with Sunderland (D2 L2), losing each of the past two league meetings by an aggregate score of 0-5.