Rangers winger Jordan Jones, Will Grigg and the Sunderland deals in play as January window heads for busy conclusion

Sunderland hope that a deal for Jordan Jones can kickstart a productive end to the January window for Lee Johnson.
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The 26-year old winger has not featured for Steven Gerrard's Rangers side since November but will bring some dynamism to Johnson's squad once up to speed.

A deal has not been concluded but the Black Cats are hopeful that they can bolster their ranks with the former Middlesbrough youngster.

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Improving the variety of Sunderland's attacking play has been a key priority in this window for Johnson, who has battled alongside Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman against the complications of the salary cap rules and with a threadbare recruitment department.

Lee Johnson is hoping to reshuffle his options in the January windowLee Johnson is hoping to reshuffle his options in the January window
Lee Johnson is hoping to reshuffle his options in the January window

The Sunderland head coach identified adding 'pace and power' as crucial as quickly as the aftermath of his first game in charge in December.

Jack Diamond has been a welcome find in that regard, but if concluded a deal for Jones would add more energy to his options in the final third.

The Black Cats are hopeful of at least one further addition before the window shuts at 11pm on Monday night.

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Johnson wants cover at left-back after Denver Hume suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury, while he is also open to making another addition to his options at centre-forward.

At 26, Jones will count towards Sunderland's salary cap calculation and that will play a part in guiding the business that the Black Cats do from here on in.

Sunderland were operating close to their limit after Carl Winchester arrived from Forest Green, with Johnson stating that they had only a small amount of room left to recruit players over the age of 21.

George Dobson's loan move opened up one space for a senior player of the squad, while a percentage of the loan contribution AFC Wimbledon are providing (70%) was free to be reinvested.

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Jones' arrival will likely take the Black Cats back close to the limit both in terms of wage spending and squad size.

With U21 players exempt from the cap, loans for Premier League youngsters have been a possibility right through the month and remain so.

Shrewsbury Town remain hopeful of signing Will Grigg on loan, and their need for a striker became more pressing on Thursday night when Jason Cummings left to join Dundee.

Johnson has told Grigg he will not stand in his way if Shrewsbury is his desired destination, but that he will only sanction it if a replacement is secured.

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"I’ve had detailed conversations with Will and I’m more than happy to have Will Grigg here competing at this football club as one of our four strikers," Johnson said.

"Obviously he’s got his own opinion on that and it’s certainly not negative towards Sunderland but he wants to find that buzz and that spark and score goals again and he may well think there is a better place to do it than here given the competition he’s got.

"I won't Will out until we get one in, it's as simple as that.

"If Shrewsbury is the desired destination, then I haven't got a problem with that at all because I know that they will look after him.

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"Remember that this isn't Will gone for good, he is under contract for next season.

"So if it helps Shrewsbury, us and it helps Will, then I've got no problem with that at all.

"At the same time, my priority is Sunderland and getting enough wins between now and the end of the season to be successful."

Grigg's departure would not necessarily change Sunderland's salary cap picture, which would be entirely dependent on the wage contribution Shrewsbury can provide, as was the case with Dobson and AFC Wimbledon.

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This is due to the 'committed contract' clause in the rules, which was designed to ensure clubs were not punished for contracts signed before the cap was introduced.

Under this clause, any player already at a club when the rules came into force saw their salary adjusted (in terms of the cap calculations) to a League One average. The adjusted figure was understood to be set at around £2,100 per week.

This is crucial because any player signed to replace Grigg (if over the age of 21) would have their salary counted in full towards the cap.

With these two factors in mind, it becomes clear how the level of contribution made towards Grigg's wage is vital.

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It underlines why moving a player out does not mean simply reinvesting whatever you have brought in, as Johnson has regularly alluded to.

Oxford United have gone public for the second January in succession on their desire to sign Grigg, but it remains to be seen if Sunderland's stance has changed.

Then, the hierarchy were adamant that he would not move to a promotion rival, and their recent form means they are once again in contention.

Grigg's future, then, rests on whether Sunderland can strengthen up front, whether it be in the loan market or by being creative in their dealings. Johnson told The Echo a fortnight ago that he had accepted he would not be spending a substantial sum in a single position this month. That is necessary context to the links to players such as Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet, who is reportedly subject to a multi-million pound bid from the Championship.

As it stands, further outgoings appear unlikely.

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Danny Graham has been linked with a departure but Johnson told The Echo on Thursday that there had been no discussions to this end.

While the number of players out of contract in the summer has the potential to leave Sunderland vulnerable to a late approach, Johnson says there have been no offers yet, even if he is always braced to 'expect the unexpected'.

His hope, and that of Sunderland, will be that a successful resolution to the Jones talks will represent the start of a strong end to a previously quiet window.

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