Sunderland handed permanent transfer advice over 'outstanding' Wilson Isidor

Sunderland have been told to take a patient approach to any decision over Wilson Isidor’s long-term future at the Stadium of Light.

The former Monaco and Lokomotiv Moscow forward joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan from Zenit Saint-Petersburg in August and made his debut as a substitute in the 3-1 win at Portsmouth just weeks later. Further substitute appearances followed in the 3-2 defeat at Plymouth Argyle and the 1-0 home victory against North East neighbours Middlesbrough before Isidor marked his first start for the club by scoring in the 2-1 loss against Watford last month. That sparked a run of three goals in four starts and the 24-year-old’s latest strike was enough to help Regis Le Bris’ side claim a 1-0 win at Hull City that handed a further boost to their hopes of gaining promotion into the Premier League.

The pace, power and composure shown by Isidor as he collected the ball inside his own half before outpacing Tigers defender Cody Drameh and firing beyond goalkeeper Ivor Pandur ensured Isidor continued to enhance his reputation as firm favourite with Sunderland supporters and they have already been some calls to convert his loan deal into a permanent switch to Wearside. However, one pundit has claimed the Black Cats should ‘wait and see how the season unfolds’ before making a permanent move for a player he described as ‘outstanding’.

Former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer told Football League World: "He's on a season-long loan, so there's nothing to rush. The manager had a little bit of insight into what Wilson can do, he's had an immediate impact and that's what you want to do when you make a loan signing.  I don't think Sunderland should look to activate that buy clause yet, they do have that option to buy him, and I always say when you take a player on loan you should take him with a view that you've got to buy him because if the player does well on loan, you don't want to then be haggling and negotiating at the end of that to get him signed.

"So, when you have a deal in place that you can sign him then it makes life easier. So, it's early days I think he's been outstanding so far, and Sunderland have been outstanding so far.  It helps that the manager’s worked with him before, he knows a lot about him. So, we'll have to wait and see how the season unfolds. I don't think there's any rush for them to make that deal permanent yet. But if he continues this great form and Sunderland continue in that vein, then of course it is an option for him. But also, Sunderland will be having one eye on the fact that, if they continue the way they are, they’re going to be promoted to the Premier League and if they get promoted to the Premier League, will he be one of those players who can play in the Premier League?  So there is a lot of factors that have to be taken into consideration, but he's doing well at the moment, and it's a case of let's wait and see."

Isidor will hope to continue his fine form when the Black Cats visit Luton Town on Wednesday night.