Sunderland AFC transfer rumours: Cats 'linked' Marcus Maddison sees loan move terminated early as Wigan Athletic boss speaks before clash

Lee Johnson’s men travel to the DW Stadium to play the Latics tomorrow after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Charlton last weekend.

The result means Sunderland are now five points adrift of second-place Peterborough United but Lee Johnson’s men do have a game in hand on Darren Ferguson’s side.

The Black Cats are also now eight points off league-leaders Hull City but have two games in hand on the Tigers plus a game to play against Grant McCann’s men.

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

Wigan Athletic boss speaks ahead of Sunderland clash

Wigan boss Leam Richardson wants Latics to exorcise the demons of the last eight months – with every point crucial to their survival hopes – and put down a marker to stay in the division.

“The DW Stadium’s been good for us in the last few years,” he acknowledged.

“And we’re hoping we can recapture as much of that form for the run-in.

“With four of the last six at home, the onus is on us to make sure our performance levels are as high as we know they can be.

“Our task hasn’t changed. We’ve won on Saturday, but we’ve got six games left, and we’ve still got to pick up more points than most of the teams around us.,

“We’re in our own mini-league, it’s something we speak of all the time, and it’s all focused on Sunderland now on Tuesday.”

Marcus Maddison to leave Bolton Wanderers and return to Charlton Athletic

Bolton Wanderers have reached an agreement with Charlton Athletic to terminate Marcus Maddison’s loan deal.

The player’s name was mentioned with a move to Sunderland when he played for Peterborough United.

Maddison joined Bolton on loan from Charlton in January.

However, the attacking midfielder failed to make a real impact since arriving at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Maddison has made only four league starts for Ian Evatt’s side and has failed to score or single assist in a total of 10 appearances.

Ian Evatt said: “The consequences of the pandemic have brought many challenges to so many people, and Marcus, in particular, has found it exceptionally difficult being away from his young daughter and alone in his hotel room.

“First and foremost, our priority is the well-being of all our staff and players, and Marcus’s best interests are paramount.

“He is a very talented footballer and everybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club wishes him well for the future.”

Oxford Untied conclude double contract deal

Sam Long has become the second Oxford United player in four days to sign a new contract.

The right-back has agreed a three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2024.

It will extend the 26-year-old’s association with United beyond two decades, having joined the club aged eight.

Simon Eastwood last Thursday also recently signed a new deal with Karl Robinson’s U’s.

Speaking after the deal, Long said: “I’ve been through a lot of lows in my career so far, but now I’m looking forward to hopefully having a few highs.

“It has been tough, I’ve had to prove myself to a lot of people to get to the point where I’m playing every week.

“I’m enjoying it and not taking it for granted.”

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