Pundit talks up Sunderland target, Johnson has change of heart on Wearside talent

Clubs across League One are fully aware of how important a good recruitment drive this month could be for their hopes and ambitions, and nowhere is that truer than at the Stadium of Light.

Lee Johnson has endured a disrupted start to life as Sunderland manager, and will be desperate to get his side on a consistent winning streak as soon as possible.

To do that, a few fresh faces may be in order in the coming days, and one relatively big deal that could in the offing is a swoop for Hibernian forward Kevin Nisbet.

The 23-year-old has been on top form this season, and now former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has talked up his chances of success in England.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Sunderland are a huge club.

“I think the boy is a great talent. He would do really well if he went down there.

“It would be a good move for him because he would hit the ground running in League One and could help them get promoted.

“He is a good striker and I think he could make a good living out of the game and England is the place to do it.”

Nibset has hit 11 goals in 21 Scottish Premiership outings this term, and McAvennie isn’t the only one who believes his star is on the rise.

Current Celtic and Scotland star Leigh Griffiths has tipped the forward for an international call-up at some point in the future.

He said: “He’s strong, can hold the ball up and is quick.

"He’s got bits to add to his game, but I’ve no doubt he’ll be a Scotland star in the future.”

According to Whoscored, Nisbet is the second-highest rated striker to have played five or more game in the Scottish Premiership this term.

Only Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard has a higher average match rating, and a recent report from Football Insider suggested that the Hoops rate the Frenchman at around £25 million.

Click and scroll through the pages below to the rest of today’s speculation involving the Black Cats and their League One rivals: