Sunderland AFC news: Kevin Phillips tells Cats to conclude signing, Elliot Embleton dubbed as possessing 'intelligence and technical quality', Danny Cowley set for Portsmouth

The Black Cats are looking to back Sunday’s cup final win up with a win against Accrington Stanley at The Wham Stadium.

Lee Johnson’s men are aiming to make it 10 unbeaten in all competitions.

As usual, however, there is still plenty of Sunderland talk and general League One gossip swirling around the web.

Here, we take you through the latest:

Sunderland ‘must’ complete Jordan Jones transfer

Kevin Phillips has tipped Sunderland to sign Rangers loanee attacker Jordan Jones.

He told Football Insider: “Jones is one of many players hitting form at the right time with a dozen or so games left. It is exciting times for him and Sunderland at the moment.”

“He will only get better and better, he is a major threat.”

According to reports from TEAMtalk, a host of clubs in the Championship have contacted Rangers.

The list includes Barnsley, Cardiff, Stoke and Middlesbrough, who are all said to be keen on the 26-year-old.

Danny Cowley set for Portsmouth job

Danny Cowley is set to be unveiled as Pompey boss until the end of the season, according to The Portsmouth News,

The former Huddersfield and Lincoln manager yesterday informed Mark Catlin he would be willing to take on the role for the remaining 12 games.

That short-term offer had put off other targets, including Daniel Stendel and Neil Harris, who would have considered a longer deal.

However, Cowley is backing himself to reinvigorate the Blues during the remaining few months of the campaign.

Ex-Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson was said to be interested in the role vacated by Kenny Jackett but appears to have been unsuccessful.

Cowley, 42, has won six promotions in his career, while was able to rescue Huddersfield and last season keep them in the Championship.

It is understood Cowley will be speaking to owner Michael Eisner and the Blues board this afternoon.

Sunderland's Elliot Embleton impressing on loan at Blackpool

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has hailed the impact of Sunderland loan star Elliot Embleton.

The midfielder came off the bench to help the Seasiders earn a point against Burton Albion during their last League One outing.

“We just felt when we were moving the ball around the pitch, they want to come after you and they want to press, but they leave space“, Critchley was quoted as saying by the Blackpool Gazette.

“If you’re brave and you can move them around, then spaces can appear and we thought Elliot in that space behind the midfield players would cause them a problem.

“We also thought it would give us a bit more intelligence and technical quality on the pitch and Elliot made a big difference in that respect.

“We scored when we were on top, but we didn’t keep it going.

“It became a bit more even again after that and that disappointed me.

“I honestly felt when it was 1-1, if we had maintained the way we were playing at that point then we’d go on and win the game.”

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