Sunderland transfer news: Cats linked with Liverpool midfielder, skipper praises duo, South Shields to train at Academy

Sunderland continue to be linked with a host of players ahead of a major summer rebuild.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan PickfordSunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

And the latest is Liverpool midfielder Kevin Stewart, who is also reported to be subject of interest from Premier League rivals Burnley and Stoke.

Sunderland are braced for a mass exodus with the likes of Jermain Defoe, Jordan Pickford, Lamine Kone and Fabio Borini all likely to depart this summer.

South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.
South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.
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The Daily Mail report Sunderland are among a host of clubs interested in Stewart.

The 23-year-old, who has made just nine appearances this season, is expected to leave Anfield this summer to go in search of regular first team football.

Sunderland would be able to offer that but it remains to be seen whether Stewart would want to drop into the Championship to achieve his dream of regular football.

South Shields invited to train at the Academy of Light:

South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.
South Shields will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light ahead of their Wembley final. Joint manager Lee Picton has thanked the club.

South Shields have been invited to use the training facilities of both Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United in the lead-up to the FA Vase final.

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Officials have confirmed the club’s final four training sessions ahead of the showcase final at Wembley later this month will be held at the two clubs’ academies.

The Shields squad will train at Sunderland's Academy of Light tonight, Saturday and next Tuesday.

Joint manager Lee Picton said: "We have really enjoyed using the brand-new 4G facility at South Shields this season.

"However, in preparation for this massive, one-off game, we want to try to replicate the conditions we will have at Wembley as best as we can ahead of the game.

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"Using the fantastic surfaces at both Sunderland and Newcastle will give us a great opportunity to do that.

"We’d like to thank both clubs for supporting us so generously by allowing us to use their facilities."

Like our Sunderland Echo SAFC Facebook page for the latest news:Sunderland skipper John O'Shea praises award-winning duo:

Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford were this week named Player and Young Player of the Year at the annual Sunderland Supporters' Association bash at the Stadium of Light.

And they have won praise from skipper John O'Shea.

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O'Shea said: "Jordan has gone from strength to strength throughout the season.

"You can see the confidence and belief we had in him beforehand when we watched him in training and while he was out on loan.

"He’s done it the hard way, going out on loan and putting in good performances for Preston, and it was really the making of him because he came back a really good ‘keeper.

"He’s come back and put another very good stopper in Vito under pressure before breaking into the team and staying there, so credit to him.

"Jermain is top quality and a great lad.

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"When we watch him in training he can find the corners, score from inside and outside the box, hit volleys and any other type of goal you can think of.”

"He’s got it all in his locker and it’s no surprise he collected another award," O'Shea told the club website.