Sunderland AFC transfer gossip: £600k-rated loanee 'keen' on Sunderland switch, Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on 'positive' decision, Joey Barton labels Bristol Rovers a 'charity'

The Black Cats face Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium this afternoon in a huge top-of-the-table promotion clash.

Sunderland are just two points behind second-placed Posh and could move into the automatic promotion spots should they get the win.

Lee Johnson’s side enjoyed a superb March as the Wearsiders won at Wembley for the first time in 48-years and went seven games unbeaten.

And that run has continued into April with Sunderland coming from behind to dispatch Oxford United 3-1 at the Stadium of Light with goals from Lynden Gooch, Aiden McGeady and Max Power.

Here, though, we take you through all of the latest news from across the division:

Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on Stuart Harvey appointment

The Blackburn Rovers man is said to be joining the Black Cats as head of recruitment at the end of the month.

“Adam Armstrong is one that stands out, Harvey Elliott on loan as well,” Phillips told Football Insider. “They have both been excellent.

“It is another positive step for Sunderland and it sounds like they are working really hard in the background.

“They are bringing in people from elsewhere to oversee key footballing decisions so it is a positive sign for me. It can only benefit the club.

“Hopefully, when he does come in he gets the signings right, whoever he’s advising.

“Ultimately, and maybe I am a bit old-fashioned, it should be down to Lee Johnson who comes in.

"You hope that the players will not be brought in over his head because ultimately Lee has to work with them on a daily basis. I believe the manager should always have the final say.”

Jordan Jones ‘keen on’ Sunderland switch

Jordan Jones is keen to join Sunderland permanently this summer after impressing on loan from Rangers

That’s according to a report this morning by Football Insider.

The Northern Ireland international joined Sunderland on loan from Rangers in January and has impressed in red and white so far this season.

The attacker scored a rocket in the 2-2 draw against Crewe and played vital roles in Sunderland’s wins over Portsmouth and Oxford United.

A ‘recruitment source’ is said to have told Football Insider that Jones would like to secure a full-time at the Stadium of Light when his loan expires.

Rangers will not stand in Jones’ way of an exit if their asking price of around £600,000 is met.

Joey Barton not enjoying life as Bristol Rovers boss

Joey Barton has labelled Bristol Rovers a ‘charity’ because of how easily the Gas surrender points and goals.

Barton has also questioned the mental toughness of a number of his players.

The club has slipped into the relegation zone and has won just twice since Barton took over in February.

“When you’re us at this moment in time, everyone is looking at us in the division and saying, ‘god, I hope we play them’ because we’re a charity – we just give you points and goals,” Barton said.

“We’re sitting second bottom in the table, we have a massive target on our backs and everyone is saying, ‘great, this is three points for us’ or, ‘this is goals for us’ because you don’t have to do much against them."

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