Kevin Phillips names striker Sunderland should sign as Black Cats bosses ask Hibernian for valuation

Sunderland faced Hull City in League One action on Saturday night with the clash, a 1-1 draw, shown live on Sky Sports.

The result leaves the Black Cats in 10th spot in League One, with 30 points from 19 played, eight points adrift of the automatic promotion positions.

Sunderland are pencilled in to return in the third round of the Papa John’s Trophy against Port Vale tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, Lee Johnson has concluded his first deal as head coach, with Forest Green midfielder Carl Winchester making the move to the North-East yesterday.

Rivals Fleetwood Town are still yet to appoint Joey Barton’s successor after the former Newcastle United midfielder left the club last week.

But there’s also plenty of transfer talk ahead of an interesting transfer window for many clubs up and down the EFL pyramid.

So what’s the latest gossip surrounding Sunderland and their League One rivals?

As always, we’re sharing the latest rumours from around the third tier – so scroll down to see the latest news and talk from around the internet:

Kal Naismith has left Wigan Athletic. A club statement read: “Naismith, 28, had five months left to run on his Latics contract and requested to the Joint Administrators that his contract be terminated to allow him to pursue a new opportunity.” (Wigan Athletic – official club site)

Hibernian have been approached by the Sunderland this month and asked to name their price for Kevin Nisbet.(Scottish Sun)

Indeed, Nisbet would be a “great signing” for Sunderland both in a football and financial sense, according to Kevin Phillips. (Football Insider)

Roy Keane wants to return to management. The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder has been focusing on punditry since leaving his role as assistant manager at Nottingham Forest in 2019. (Sun on Sunday)

Ipswich Town’s 19-year-old centre back Elkan Baggott has turned down the offer of a new contract from Ipswich, with his current deal set to expire this summer, Leeds and West Ham are both said to be keen to bring Baggott to the Premier League. (Football Insider)

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has confirmed that the Blues are not expecting to sign anyone imminently, despite being linked with Shrewsbury Town’s Charlie Daniels, whose contract with the Salop is set to expire this month and Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt, who was recently recalled after a loan spell with Charlton Athletic. (Portsmouth News)

Blackpool are keen on a move for Wigan Athletic’s Kyle Joseph but face competition from Tottenham and Rangers. (Alan Nixon – personal Twitter account)

There will be money to spend at Hull City during the January transfer window, according to head coach Grant McCann. But the Tigers’ head coach also confirmed that youngster Keane Lewis-Porter is not for sale. (Various)

St Johnstone full-back Scott Tanser has been linked with a winter move to Sunderland and Barnsley - but says the interest is ‘just speculation’. (The Herald)