How it unfolded as Jack Clarke's magic gives Michael Beale's Sunderland a vital Boxing Day win against Hull City in Championship

Premier League giants Arsenal are said to be 'monitoring' one of Sunderland's brightest young stars ahead of the January transfer window.

Reports have suggested that Black Cats midfielder Jobe Bellingham could be the subject of transfer interest from The Gunners with Mikel Arteta's side monitoring the 18-year-old following his breakout season at the Stadium of Light

Jobe, 18, was named in Michael Beale's first starting XI as head coach for the Championship clash against Coventry City making his 22nd league appearance for the Black Cats. The England youth international has also netted four times in the league for Sunderland this campaign.

According to a report by Give Me Sport, Arsenal are keen on a deal for the talented player, who has featured in midfield and as a striker for the Black Cats this season. Football Insider also state that Tottenham could rival Arsenal. Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Jobe.

Manchester United are 'willing' to let Amad Diallo leave the club on loan during the upcoming January window with multiple clubs interested, according to reports.

The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Sunderland last season, scoring 14 Championship goals, while the Black Cats were one of several clubs keeping an eye on the player's situation over the summer. That was before Amad sustained a lengthy knee injury in pre-season, which caused him to miss the start of this campaign.

Amad, though, has been named in Ivory Coast’s preliminary squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament, which starts in January, yet it's still unclear if he will be involved. Despite this, it is understood that Sunderland remain interested in bringing the attacking midfielder back to the club if a deal can be done.

Fresh reports over Christmas, however, have named more clubs showing an interest in Amad, with Premier League outfits Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham, Wolves all said to be keen on a deal alongside Championship club Southampton.

Manchester United face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Boxing Day and Amad is in with a chance of making his first Erik ten Hag squad since sustaining the injury during pre-season. Ahead of the game, Unuted's manager said: "I think hopefully Raphael Varane will return. And for the rest, maybe Amad Diallo, we'll see how far he is. He has trained now for two weeks. They are probably the ones who can maybe return.”

Sunderland are in action against Hull City at the KCOM Stadium in the Championship on Boxing Day.

Sunderland take on Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Boxing Day in the Championship with kick-off at 3pm.

Head coach Michael Beale was handed a blow against Coventry City with Niall Huggins picking up a serious injury. The former Leeds United man will certainly miss the game against Hull City and the foreseeable future.

Summer signing Jenson Seelt is in contention to replace Huggins in Beale's starting XI, though the Black Cats' head coach does have other options.

Luke O'Nien also picked up an ankle knock against Coventry City but said he was fine during his post-match interview, though he may be one to watch when the teamsheet lands at 2pm.

Timothee Pembele, Jay Matete and Aji Alese are edging there way back to fitness and have featured for Sunderland's under-21s in recent weeks but today's game against Hull City may come just a little too soon for the trio.

If Beale is short of numbers, though, one of the three could make it onto the bench.

Southampton are said to be pushing hard to sign Manchester United winger Amad on loan in January.

The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Sunderland last season, scoring 14 Championship goals, while the Black Cats were one of several clubs keeping an eye on the player's situation over the summer. That was before Amad sustained a lengthy knee injury in pre-season, which caused him to miss the start of this campaign.

Southampton were just one of the sides credited with interest in Amad earlier in the year, while Football Insider have reported the Saints 'are pushing the hardest' sign the player ahead of next month's transfer window.

Amad has been named in Ivory Coast’s preliminary squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament, which starts in January, yet it's still unclear if he will be involved.

Benjamin Rollheiser reports

New Sunderland head coach Michael Beale has said there is scope to improve the squad in January, even if he doesn't expect major changes on Wearside.

The Black Cats reportedly eyed an ‘ambitious’ loan move for 23-year-old Benjamin Rollheiser from Argentine club Estudiantes in the final few days of the summer transfer window, with suggestions a deal couldn’t be reached due to third party ownership of the player.

Newcastle have also been credited with interest in Rollheiser over the last year, while Portuguese newspaper Record have claimed Nottingham Forest are ‘preparing an offer’ for the Argentine, who is said to be valued at around €9million - around £7.8million.

Pierre Ekwah interest

Sunderland will also be hoping to keep their key players in January, after fending off bids for some of their prized assets earlier in the year. Midfielder Pierre Ekwah was the subject of transfer interest over the summer, while Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with the 21-year-old midfielder.

According to the Evening Standard, Palace and Fulham are interested in a January move for Ekwah, who joined the Black Cats from West Ham at the start of this year. It's believed the Hammers inserted a sell-on clause in the midfielder's contract, while Bundesliga side Stuttgart were one of the clubs reportedly interested in the player over the summer.