Sunderland AFC: Chris Young reveals all as Marseille close in on Steven Fletcher deal

Sunderland reporter Chris Young has been answering your deadline day questions - with the futures of Steven Fletcher, Loic Remy and Andre Ayew all hot topics.
Steven FletcherSteven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher

Here are the highlights of our teatime Q&A:

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Andre Ayew

Michael Bowers asked why are Sunderland loaning out Steven Fletcher if his deal runs out in the summer?

CY: SAFC will get a few quid for a loan fee and save a few wages.

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Plus Fletcher wants to play too after limited opportunities over recent weeks. If he impresses at Marseille, he's got a great chance to join them on a Bosman next summer.

I know it's a concern if there's no other striker brought in, but Borini can cover as a central striker if Defoe and N'Doye are out.

Andre AyewAndre Ayew
Andre Ayew

Neil Grieves asked do Sunderland need to move Fletcher on before bringing in another player?

CY: No, not really.

I'm told it's unlikely that there'll be further arrivals in this window now, but the club are seeing if anyone becomes available last minute that could make an impact.

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Jamie Brown asked are there any players coming in or is it a waiting game?

CY: SAFC are not going to get involved in any panic buys now, and no, it doesn't depend on Fletcher going.

At this stage, it's a case of being on standby in case they get offered anyone who stands out.

Brian Cummins asked: What's the wage situation? Has Short broken the structure at all or has he stuck to his guns despite the risk?

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CY: There's no real leverage to break the structure, as Short was the one who proposed the wage limits with the PL in the first place!

At the start of the window, the wage bill was far too high, with too many players e.g. Buckley, Mavrias, Roberge etc, who just weren't contributing.

Allardyce has done an excellent job in moving players on and it's freed up the funds for incomings.

SAFC True Mackem asked: If @SunderlandAFC fail to sign anymore players, do you think we will beat the drop or wont we have enough quality to survive?

CY: I think the next month is going to be crucial.

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They can't afford 4 successive defeats, as was the case in December when they faced a daunting run of fixtures.

SAFC need Kone and Khazri to make an immediate impact.

Rob Hutch ‏@RobHSafc asked: No defender action in the mix tonight then?

CY: They were certainly targeting another RB at the end of the window, hence the enquiries for Debuchy and Richards.

They've not come off though and it's looking unlikely now.