Interesting update on Sunderland forward's future shared after loan exit speculation

Nazariy Rusyn is not considering a Sunderland exit this summer and is ready to battle for a place in the starting XI next season, according to reports in Ukraine.

There had been speculation over the weekend that the 25-year-old had interest from clubs in Ukraine and Poland after a challenging first campaign following his move from Zorya Luhansk. However, sport.ua say that Sunderland have no interest in letting Rusyn leave on loan and that the player himself is ready to push for more regular football now that both he and his family are settled in the area.

That closely echoes the verdict of interim head coach Mike Dodds, who said ahead of the campaign's conclusion that everyone at the club was expecting a big contribution from the versatile forward next season.

"Naz started training last week so he's fine, if the season had run for another week then I think he would have featured," Dodds said.

"I think his season has been a little bit clunky in that he's come into the club and doesn't speak the language, which I always think is difficult for any player. There was an issue with the visa for his family and so he initially was here by himself, that wasn't the initial plan and so I think that was probably a bit of a hammer blow for him at the time. Then you factor in all the other things, a completely different style of play, a different part of the world. It's a different way of life. When you actually reflect, Naz is one who you would probably want more from but to have expected more from him would have been really harsh. I do think from the start of next season, pre-season is going to be really important for him because I think those factors have been taken away really. His family are here with him, his language has got a lot better, he's a lot more settled in the region and has got a place [home]. So there'll be a little more pressure on him but I think we'll see a better reflection of him as a player."

Rusyn has three years to run on his current deal.