League One news and transfer rumours: Ex-Sunderland striker surprised by Southampton loanee plus latest on Chelsea and Manchester United trialists

The 21-year-old has made just four League One appearances since joining Sunderland in January, with Callum McFadzean often getting the nod at left-back.

While discussing Vokins’ form, Phillips told Football Insider: “I’m surprised he hasn’t set the world alight so far.

“We are not privy to what happens on the training ground so it is hard to say why it hasn’t worked out.

“Coming from Southampton, you thought he would slot into the starting XI straight away. It can take time for some players to adjust and adapt and he is obviously one of them.

“I am sure Vokins’ time will come though. He will get another opportunity between now and the end of the season because he has shown in the past that he is a fantastic player.”

Chelsea and Manchester United trialists at Portsmouth

Elsewhere in League One, new Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has held discussions with two Premier League trialists.

Manchester United defender Max Taylor and Chelsea midfielder Pierre Ekwah trained with the Blues during Kenny Jackett’s final week in charge, before Cowley was appointed last week.

It initially looked like Portsmouth’s interest in the pair was over, yet Cowley has held talks with Pompey’s head of recruitment Phil Boardman about their futures.

“We have spoken about them both and if we can get the opportunity to look at any player we think is good enough to play for Pompey,” said Cowley.

"If there's an opportunity to try before you buy then that’s a really good thing to be able to do.”

Blackpool boss respond to striker reports

Finally, Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has responded to reports linking Tangerines striker Jerry Yates with Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.

Yates scored twice in Blackpool’s midweek win over Peterborough and has 14 League One goals this season.

“It’s part and parcel, standard practice of football. If someone is doing well in a certain division, then it will attract interest from teams above you,” Critchley told the Blackpool Gazette.

“That would be the same if it was a League Two team, League One teams would be looking at the best players in that division.”

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