Lee Johnson reiterates stance on Wolves loanee in full Sunderland transfer update

Wolves still have the option to recall the 21-year-old, who initially struggled for gametime after joining on deadline day earlier this season.

Cardiff City, where Sanderson played on loan last season, reportedly enquired last week about the possibility of bringing the defender to South Wales before the end of the window.

That move was rejected, and the Bluebirds have subsequently moved close to the additions of Crewe Alexandra and Bournemouth defenders Perry Ng and Jack Simpson.

Johnson had revealed earlier this month that he had held a productive discussion with Wolves over Sanderson's future shortly after taking the Sunderland job, and remains confident that all parties remain happy with the current arrangement.

"As far as I'm aware, Dion is happy, Wolves are happy and we're happy," Johnson said.

"I think while you've got three happy parties.. everybody has bought into Dion's development in the right way.

"He's done well and he's got a lot of potential.He's part of our squad and ready to go whenever we need him."

Sanderson himself told The Echo earlier this month that he was happy to stay on Wearside for the rest of the campaign.

"I'm playing now and getting experience which is what I need - to get as much experience as I can," he said.

"Hopefully I can achieve my goal of playing in the Premier League for my home club.”

Johnson remains in the market for more additions to his Sunderland squad, and is anticipating at least one arrival before the end of the window.

The Sunderland head coach is not anticipating any imminent moves, with negotiations largely in the hands of CEO Jim Rodwell and Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman.

Johnson says the club are 'in the mix' for a number of targets and that the picture can change quickly.

"We're in the mix," he said.

"These things can seem a long way off but the landscape quickly changes and all of a sudden someone is on their way for a medical.

"There are players who are aware of our interest, there's agents and clubs aware of our interest.Whether or not we can get them over the line is probably out of my hands, I'd say I'm more talent ID in the process here, than anything else.

"It's important that we bring the right personalities in, as well as the right footballing attributes, because we're trying to build a culture here as well as a winning football team."

The arrival of Carl Winchester has left Sunderland close to the limit in terms of both the salary and squad size cap, with potential loans for U21 players known to be the likely next step for the Black Cats.

"The loan market is an important one, particular in that U21 sector because it's not counted towards the salary cap,"Johnson said.

"You compete with clubs for the best U21s because you know that any wriggle room you have in the salary cap has to go on over 21s, but those players have also got to be fit because it's not good bringing them in and having to get them up to speed over a long period."

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