Exclusive:James Copley’s Sunderland notebook: Goalkeeper crisis, transfer interest and potential affiliate club gossip

Thanks to everyone who read the first edition of this little Sunderland notebook. The idea is fairly simple - to pull together a few smaller bits of information that might not always sit neatly as full stories on their own, but still offer a useful glimpse at what is going on around the club.

Given the response to the first one, it feels like something we might turn into a semi-regular series. Nothing too formal, and certainly nothing too polished for the sake of it - just a place to share a few bits, add a bit of context, and hopefully take readers slightly behind the curtain.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper panic

Sunderland’s game against Aston Villa brought a bit of drama on the pitch, but there was also a fair bit going on behind the scenes in the build-up.

As was well publicised at the time, an illness swept through the Academy of Light, which had to be shut down at one stage, and caused Sunderland some real issues. What was perhaps not quite as obvious from the outside was just how much concern it caused internally, particularly around the goalkeeping department.

Robin Roefs, Melker Ellborg and Simon Moore were all affected, which left Sunderland in a difficult position before a Premier League game. At one stage, there was even some thought that Isaac Allan may have to travel with the first-team squad, despite being on loan at Hebburn Town and despite the Hornets having a massive game of their own.

That gives a decent indication of the level of concern Sunderland were dealing with. Allan has had a really useful loan at Hebburn and was obviously needed there, but the situation at the Academy of Light became serious enough for Sunderland to consider every possible option. There was even the possibility, however remote, that one of Sunderland’s younger shot-stoppers could have been thrown into a very surprise debut.

In the end, Roefs soldiered on and started the game despite not being well. Cowan travelled with the first-team squad as cover, and Sunderland managed to get through it without the situation becoming even more dramatic. Still, it was a reminder of how quickly things can change. One illness bug, a couple of badly timed absences and suddenly a Premier League matchday squad can start to look very different.

Harrison Jones interest ahead of expected Sunderland exit

Another situation to keep an eye on is Harrison Jones, who is attracting interest from League One, League Two and Scotland ahead of an expected summer departure from Sunderland.

There is a bit of sadness attached to this one. Jones is a local lad, a boyhood supporter and someone who is rated extremely highly by Régis Le Bris, but football moves quickly, and Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League has changed the picture for a few young players. Had Sunderland remained in the Championship, Jones may well have had a better chance of playing senior football this season. Instead, the Black Cats have gone up a level, and the opportunities just have not really been there.

That is not a reflection on Jones’ ability or attitude. It is more a reflection of where Sunderland now are as a club. The gap between academy football and the Premier League is huge, and even highly rated young players can find themselves needing to move elsewhere to get the games their development needs. I spoke to Jones after the play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley, and he was absolutely over the moon - as any Mackem should be.

Whatever happens next, it feels fitting that he will always be able to look back on that incredible play-off run and know he was part of it. He was regularly around the squad, pushed the starting XI and played his role in a group that delivered one of the great Sunderland days. I think everyone on Wearside will wish the lad well.

Hebburn hoping Sunderland partnership can grow

The last notebook also touched on Sunderland’s relationship with the North East non-league scene, particularly Hebburn Town after their historic, against-the-odds promotion. There may now be another step in that relationship.

Having benefited from Sunderland loans this season, Hebburn are hoping for an even stronger partnership as they prepare for life in National League North. Isaac Allan, Dan Cameron and Jake Waters all spent time with the Hornets recently, and the relationship has clearly worked well for both clubs.

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In conversations since the last notebook, I’m told Hebburn are hoping for some form of affiliate-type arrangement with Sunderland. Not too dissimilar, in a very loose sense, to the sort of option Sunderland fans will recognise from Football Manager.

Clearly, there would be a lot of detail to work through before anything like that became formal. But the thinking is easy enough to understand. Hebburn are hoping to field a very young squad next season, and Sunderland can potentially provide talented young players who need senior football.

Your next Sunderland read: James Copley’s notebook: Ghisolfi-Speakman differences, secret friendly and non-league support