Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson reveals when he first moved for ex-Ipswich defender Tommy Smith and hails 'flawless' Alim Ozturk in Bristol Rovers win

Lynch suffered concussion and a rib injury at the start of February, which has kept him out of the squad since, though he could return to the matchday squad for the visit of Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening.

Following the ankle injury to Bailey Wright last season, which could keep him out for the season, Sunderland moved swiftly to add Smith on a short-term deal until the end of the season on Friday afternoon.

The New Zealand international defender spent a decade at Ipswich and has a good pedigree in the Championship.

Parkinson, speaking following the 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers at the Stadium of Light, said: “When Lynchy got injured at Portsmouth, I’d spoken then to Tommy’s agent, but then we realised that Lynch wasn’t too bad.

“Then with the news with Bailey, we got him up on the Thursday, had a chat and looked at him physically, he looked in great shape.

“Everything I had heard about him – his character - was backed up with our chats with him.

“It is good to have another player in the building, we don’t want to leave ourselves short.

“He has had an U23 game at another club recently and has been training, he isn’t too far away.”

Parkinson also had a word of praise for owner Stewart Donald for helping bolster the squad.

He added: “It was important to bring one in, I felt, the owner understands and he is singing from the same hymn sheet to make sure we are strong and have cover in all departments.”

Alim Ozturk was given the nod to replace Wright and Parkinson described his performance as ‘flawless’.

Parkinson said: “Alim was flawless, he was great, did the right things at the right time.

“The right decisions and he typified the performance.”

Sunderland are fourth and just three points off the top of League One ahead of the visit of Fleetwood on Tuesday evening to the Stadium of Light.