MK Dons boss confirms he is trying to seal deadline day swoop for Sunderland's Will Grigg

MK Dons boss Russell Martin has confirmed that he is trying to sign Will Grigg on loan today.
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Grigg is expected to leave the Stadium of Light on a short-term basis before the 11pm deadline, with a host of League One clubs interested.

Shrewsbury Town have been the frontrunners for his signature over the last week but sources at the Shropshire club have appeared downbeat regarding their chances.

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Oxford United have also very publicly declared their interest, but it remains to be seen whether the Black Cats would be comfortable doing business with a promotion rival.

Martin had initially played down rumours of a return to the club for Grigg, but has conceded it is now a possibility

"With Will, when I spoke to you last week I was being honest!" Martin said.

"It's the same as the Scott Fraser scenario, I never saw him signing for us and as quickly as he did. He was on his way somewhere else but we really had a go at it and he was signing here within 48 hours.

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"I was truthful last week when I said I didn't think it would happen, but this time, the situation has changed and a lot of people are still interested, including ourselves. We'll have to wait and see.

Will Grigg is set to leave Sunderland on loanWill Grigg is set to leave Sunderland on loan
Will Grigg is set to leave Sunderland on loan

"He's a very good player at this level and a lot of clubs are interested in him."

Sunderland face MK Dons twice this week, with the Papa John’s Trophy quarter final on Tuesday evening preceding a crucial League One fixture on Saturday.

Sunderland head coach said on Saturday that the arrival of Ross Stewart would allow Grigg to move on.

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"Outgoings, we'll have to wait and see but we want to trim the squad,” he said.

"Just to make sure that it is competitive but not too competitive, so players don't feel there's no chance of getting gametime.

“I’d be more than happy to have Will here but it does then become a case of how many strikers we have.

"Will wants to play every game, he wants to be closer to his family who are in Stafford, and we are probably going to have to accommodate that on this occasion if we get that extra man in."

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