Sunderland AFC news: Businessman denies takeover bid plus Cats face midfielder decision

American businessman Mark Campbell has dismissed speculation that he’s interested in buying National League club Chesterfield.

Campbell was involved in talks to buy Sunderland earlier this year but his takeover bid failed to materialise following months of discussions.

The American has also tried to purchase Scottish League One outfit Falkirk and is believed to have been at Chesterfield’s FA Trophy defeat to Notts County over the weekend.

Yet Campbell told our sister title the Derbyshire Times that he won’t be buying The Spireites, and his attendance at the match was not related to a potential takeover.

That came as a shock to Chesterfield’s company secretary Ashley Carson, though, who said he was “mystified” by Campbell’s comments and claimed a formal bid had been lodged.

Back at Sunderland, the Black Cats will have to decide whether to bring back midfielder Ethan Robson next month.

The 23-year-old signed a loan deal until January at League Two side Grimsby in the summer and has scored three goals in 14 appearances for The Mariners this season.

Grimsby caretaker boss Anthony Limbrick said last week that he wants to keep Robson until the end of the season, yet the call will ultimately rest with Sunderland.

Former Black Cats striker Stephen Elliott certainly believes Robson should be brought back to the Stadium of Light.

Following Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool over the weekend, Elliott tweeted: “Ethan Robson has to be brought back in January and given a slot in team straight away. #SAFC”