Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers have joined the race to sign Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz, with the Chile international struggling for game time on the south coast. (The Star, external)
However, the 25-year-old prefers either a loan move to Sheffield United or to see out the rest of the season with the Saints. (Daily Mail, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip here.
Borussia Dortmund have cooled their interest in a January move for Jobe Bellingham leading to Sunderland being hopeful they can hold onto the midfielder until the summer. (Sunderland Echo, external)
The Black Cats could bring in Ben Brereton-Diaz from Southampton to aid their promotion push, leading the race for the striker's signing ahead of his former clubs Sheffield United and Blackburn. (Sheffield Star, external)
Stoke could lose loan striker Tom Cannon this week, if Leicester decide to recall him and send him elsewhere, with Sunderland, Luton, Sheffield United and Wednesday all monitoring the 22-year-old Irish forward. (Leicester Mercury, external)
Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.
Image source, Rex FeaturesSeveral Championship clubs will be playing close attention to comments from Aston Villa boss Unai Emery about attacking midfielder Louie Barry.
The 21-year-old has been recalled by Villa this week after a stellar loan spell with League One Stockport, where he scored 16 goals this season.
Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Middlesbrough, Millwall and Coventry are among the clubs reported to be keen on taking Barry for a stint in the second tier for the remainder of the campaign.
Speaking ahead of Villa's FA Cup third round clash with West Ham, Emery said: "(Barry) trained with us and we are going to make a plan with him, an overall plan,
"I think he is a very good player who is progressing well. He has been on loan doing fantastic. Now we can have a new plan with him.
"He improved because he was scoring a lot of goals on loan. With us he only trained today and yesterday. Of course we are going to try and get a good plan for the club with him."
Image source, Getty ImagesThis is the first FA Cup meeting between Sunderland and Stoke since February 1976, the Black Cats winning a fifth round replay 2-1 at Roker Park.
Sunderland have won their past two home games against Stoke, including a 2-1 Championship victory last month.
They last won three consecutive home games against the Potters in all competitions in September 1986.
Jobe Bellingham is expected to stay at Sunderland this month, despite transfer interest across the Premier League and Europe, but will likely leave in the summer. (The Sun, external)
Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.
Image source, Getty ImagesSunderland midfielder Chris Rigg is expected to be available for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Stoke City after recovering from an ankle injury.
The 17-year-old left Ewood Park in a protective boot on Boxing Day after picking up an injury in the second half of their game against Blackburn.
Also fit is Lens loanee Salis Abdul Samed, who could make his first appearance, while 20-year-old forward Ahmed Abdullahi could also feature after signing for the Wearside club in August.
The Black Cats will also soon been bolstered by the return of defender Dan Ballard - who boss Regis Le Bris estimates is around one week away from a return - but wingers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson are still anticipated to be out for a further three to four weeks.
Image source, Getty ImagesWinger Patrick Roberts says Sunderland skipper Dan Neil has grown into a real leader.
South Shields-born midfielder Neil is approaching 200 appearances for the club, despite only turning 23 last month.
He has played every minute of 24 Championship games this season, was sent off five minutes from time in another and only missed the next through suspension, back in August.
Roberts told BBC Radio Newcastle: "When I first came in you knew he was a top player (even though) he was very young.
"He's grown into a real leader, on and off the pitch. He's a real character, he's from here and his whole family come and watch him and you can see he's proud every time he pulls on that armband.
"I've always been a big fan of Dan and he's shown what he can do, he's a brilliant footballer and a good lad as well."
Whether Roberts and Neil line up together against Stoke in the FA Cup third round on Saturday (15:00 GMT) remains to be seen, with many clubs expected to rotate their squad after a hectic festive programme which ended with the Black Cats fourth in the Championship, three points off top spot.
He said: "You have to look at the season as a whole, especially the position we're in. Maybe other lads who haven't played so much get a chance to play and show what they can do.
"We have got a big few weeks and months coming up towards the end of the season and you need a full squad so if players get a chance, let them show what they can do."
You can listen to the full interview with Roberts on BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport from 18:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Image source, Rex FeaturesHomegrown keeper Matty Young has his sights set on winning the Sunderland number one shirt in the future.
The 18-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at high-flying League Two side Salford City where he has started the past nine matches in all competitions, keeping eight clean sheets.
Young could line up against Manchester City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday (17:45 GMT live on BBC One) and has reportedly already caught the eye of City boss Pep Guardiola.
Young joined Sunderland as a seven-year-old and signed a contract until 2028 in November.
He told the Black Cats website, external he has his sights on playing for his club which "means the world" to him.
"I have been with the club for over a decade. I have supported Sunderland my whole life. The place means the world to me, as a player and as a supporter," he said.
"I want to play for this club in the future, that is the goal for me. I am working my way up to hopefully get my opportunity.
"I am really pleased with the progress I am making so far."
Image source, Rex FeaturesTwo Championship fixtures have been selected for free-to-air TV coverage in the coming weeks.
The all-Yorkshire game between Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Sunday, 19 January (12:00 GMT) will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Tees-Wear derby between Middlesbrough and Sunderland on Monday, 3 February (20:00 GMT) will also be screened live on ITV4 and ITVX.
It is part of an agreement between Sky Sports, ITV and the EFL , externalto give fans the chance to watch coverage of selected EFL and EFL Cup fixtures on free-to-air channels.
There are five straight days of free-to-air coverage of the FA Cup third round, from this Thursday, across the BBC and ITV.
The second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield on Thursday, 6 February (20:00 GMT) will also be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.
Sunderland remain in talks about a move for Roma's French midfielder Enzo Le Fee, who previously played under Regis Le Bris at Lorient. (The Northern Echo, external)
Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column.
Crystal Palace have renewed their interest in Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, with the 20-year-old expected to be valued at £20m. (TalkSport, external)
Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is keen on Sunderland's 18-year-old goalkeeper Matty Young, who has kept six straight clean sheets to help loan club Salford climb the League Two table. (The Sun, external)
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has enquired about Roma's out-of-favour midfielder Enzo Le Fee, whom he formerly managed at Lorient. (Matteo Moretto, external)
Birmingham could be in for a cash boost if former star Jobe Bellingham is sold by Sunderland this month. The England Under-21 midfielder has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, with the Blues said to hold a 15% sell-on fee. (Birmingham Live, external)
Image source, Getty ImagesRegis Le Bris is yet to see Sunderland lose at the Stadium of Light under his leadership
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris was pleased with his side's will to win to conclude their busy festive programme.
The victory over Portsmouth ended their run of five games in 15 days in which time they have accumulated 10 points to remain in the mix at the top of the Championship.
Wilson Isidor scored the winner, just as he did against Sheffield United, to leave the Black Cats in fourth and only three points adrift of leaders Leeds United.
"This was a fifth game in 15 days with a short squad," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"So we can't expect a great level of play during the whole game. It's really impossible.
"But we showed that we wanted to win, we were connected even when it was a little bit more difficult."
Portsmouth will look to make it back to back wins for the first time this season as they make the trip to the Stadium of Light on Sunday (15:00 GMT).
Pompey began the calendar year with an emphatic 4-0 win over Swansea that saw them climb out of the bottom three.
Sunderland also claimed a big victory over promotion rivals Sheffield United on New Year's Day to move within two points of an automatic promotion spot and five points shy of league leaders Leeds United.
The Black Cats eased to a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture in August, though they are only one of two sides in the top five to take all three points over the visitors this season (D3).
Sunderland have won three of their last four league meetings with Portsmouth (L1) and could complete a league double over Pompey for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign.
Portsmouth have only won one of their last six away games against Sunderland (D2 L3 - including the playoffs), winning 3-1 in October 2020 in League One.
Sunderland will begin a calendar year with back-to-back home league games for the first time since 2017, when they drew 2-2 with Liverpool and lost 3-1 to Stoke at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.
Portsmouth have lost each of their last three away league games, last losing four on the bounce on the road in November 2014 in League Two.
The away side has won three of the last seven league meetings in the Football League between a team from Tyne and Wear and a side from Hampshire (L4), as many as across the 17 fixtures prior (D4 L10).
Adam Cottier
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEliezer Mayenda's goal against Sheffield United was his third of the season
The decision by Regis Le Bris to play Eliezer Mayenda in a more central attacking role seemed to be key to Sunderland's win over Sheffield United.
The teenager's pace and dynamism combined with the threat of top scorer Wilson Isidor helped Sunderland maintain their unbeaten home record with some exciting forward play.
Combine that with a fine performance from goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and strong individual displays throughout the team and this was a standout win against a strong opponent.
Luke O'Nien also deserves credit for not letting the concession of a penalty and an own goal affect his overall contribution.
There was a real buzz at the Stadium of Light. I have little doubt Sunderland will still be in the promotion reckoning come the end of the season with an automatic place possible.
