Ethan Robson attracting League One interest but outlines the key factor in opening up summer transfer market

Robson has been released by Sunderland and while he admitted to The Echo that the decision had been ‘a kick in the teeth’, he feels that with chances of first-team football on Wearside limited, it could yet prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The 23-year-old is in demand after making a positive impression in loan spells at Dundee and more recently, in League Two with Grimsby Town.

The Mariners had wanted to keep Robson on loan until the end of the season, but Phil Parkinson opted to keep him on Wearside as cover.

Robson is one of an unusually large number of players leaving clubs this summer as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis takes hold.

The midfielder is optimistic about the future but believes that he may yet have to be patient.

Echoing the thoughts of managers, players and owners throughout the pyramid, he believes that a start date for next season is absolutely key in opening up the transfer market.

“I’ve had a lot of interest,” Robson said.

“I think the big thing is going to be the restart date.

“When there’s officially a restart date I think there’ll be a lot more offers around.

“I’ve had some which is good, there are options.

“I’ve had interest from League One and League Two, and there are some teams in the Scottish Premier League who are interested.

“It’s definitely exciting times.

“I want to cement my place in a team next season and push on.”

EFL chairman Rick Parry told The Times on Tuesday that he is hopeful that some fans could be allowed into grounds for the start of the 2020/21 season.

While no dates have been confirmed, clubs are expecting a planned restart date in mid-September.

“The green shoots of recovery are definitely there,” Parry said.

“I don’t want to pre-empt what the government’s going to say in the next couple of weeks but the talk about spectators returning, albeit gradually, is definitely ramping up in volume at the moment.”

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