Ethan Robson attracting significant interest with several League One clubs linked including Portsmouth, Ipswich and Oxford

Academy graduate Robson was released by Sunderland this summer 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.

A number of clubs have been credited with an interest in the midfielder including Portsmouth, Ipswich Town, Fleetwood Town and Blackpool.

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 was then released in the summer.

“I’ve had a lot of interest,” Robson told the Echo last month.

“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.”

The Ipswich Star report however that signing a central midfielder is unlikely to be a priority for them this summer.

They report: “Signing a central midfielder is unlikely to be a priority for Ipswich manager Paul Lambert this summer, given he has Cole Skuse, Flynn Downes, Emyr Huws, Jon Nolan, Teddy Bishop, Alan Judge, Idris El Mizouni, Andre Dozzell and Tristan Nydam capable of operating there.”

Meanwhile, the Portsmouth News report: "It’s understood that Robson has potential League One suitors, with Blackpool, Fleetwood and Ipswich showing interest.

“But, in truth, a switch to Fratton Park for Robson appears highly unlikely when scrutinising his profile.

“If Robson was regarded as someone capable of playing a key role in a side battling for the Championship then you’d have imagined the Black Cats would have instead offered him fresh terms.”

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