Phil Parkinson on Sunderland's goalkeeper battle and the latest on Jon McLaughlin's contract

Jon McLaughlin looks set to retain his place for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday after Phil Parkinson said he did ‘really well’ on his return to the side.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlinSunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin
Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin

After a mixed start to the campaign, McLaughlin was dropped for Parkinson’s first game in charge as Lee Burge was given a chance to impress.

McLaughlin did feature in the cups but after an error against Gillingham in the FA Cup, Burge returned to the XI for two crucial league fixtures at the Stadium of Light.

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McLaughlin was recalled at Gillingham last weekend as one of six changes in a controversial line-up.

Though the Black Cats fell to defeat after Connor Ogilvie’s late winner, Parkinson said he was impressed with McLaughlin and praised his attitude after the initial decision to take him out of the side.

“I thought Jon did really well,” Parkinson said.

“He’s been very professional since he got left out the team, everyone knows he’s a very experienced goalkeeper.

“He’s trained really hard and I felt he was ready to come back in.

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“Sometimes having a break from first-team action can do you good, let you take stock of the situation and he came back in did really well.”

McLaughlin had an exceptional campaign last season, with Jack Ross stating earlier this season that he believed him to be the best goalkeeper in League One.

In recent times, however, his position has been overshadowed by significant doubt over his Black Cats future.

McLaughlin began talks over a new contract early in the summer, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the campaign.

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However, those talks did not prodice a successful resolution and though chairman Stewart Donald said in August that he was confident a deal would be agreed, there has been no further progress ahead of the January window.

McLaughlin has previously stated that he wants to commit to his future to the club, but Parkinson says there have been no developments.

“Nothing at the moment,” Parkinson said. “At the moment, it’s something that the owner will address when we’re ready to do that.”