Revealed: Why Ethan Robson saw a deadline day Sunderland loan exit collapse

The 23-year-old was set to return to Blundell Park on loan until the end of the season, only for Phil Parkinson to pull the plug on a deal on the morning of deadline day.

His decision to retain Robson came after injury to a ‘senior player’ - which the Echo understands to be Grant Leadbitter. The injury is, however, thought to be a minor one rather than anything serious.

And Holloway was left disappointed with his failure to bring Robson back to the League Two side.

“Ethan was a little bit unfortunate for us, but a little bit fortunate for him I suppose,” he said.

“A day before, Phil Parkinson said it looked like we might be able to have him and that he “might have got someone else in.

Then the following morning, he had a problem with one of his more senior players who picked up an injury, so he could not let Ethan come out.

“A little bit disappointing for us.”

Robson is now set to remain on Wearside and battle for his place over the remainder of the season.

Parkinson has tried the Houghton-born youngster in different positions in recent weeks as he bids to impress the new Sunderland boss.

“We looked at him as a left wing-back in training on Saturday, because he's played wide left in his career before,” said Parkinson.