Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has welcomed the idea of his former club signing Joe Pigott this summer.

The 27-year-old striker is set to leave AFC Wimbledon in the coming days when his contract expires – and he’s not expected to be short of offers.

Pigott fired 25 goals in 45 League One matches last season – bettered only by Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris, Charlie Wyke and Blackpool’s Jerry Yates.

With Celtic-linked Wyke expected to turn down a new deal at the Stadium of Light, Phillips believes Pigott can be a suitable replacement.

Phillips told Football Insider: “His stats speak for themselves.

“A record of nearly one in two is a great strike rate.

“My only worry is, coming from Wimbledon, can he handle the pressure of playing for Sunderland. No disrespect to Wimbledon but Sunderland is a big step up.

“I haven’t seen too much of Pigott but the lad can score goals, that is clear.

“He could be the man to replace Charlie Wyke next season because it looks as if he will be moving on.

“If Lee can get Pigott in and he scores a lot of goals for Sunderland he will be a hero straight away.”

However, Pigott isn’t the only player linked with a move to Wearside in this summer’s transfer window…