Dan Neil appears increasingly likely to have played his last game for the club

Dan Neil is closing on a short-term switch to promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.

The Sunderland midfielder has been in discussions over his future having struggled for regular game time in the Premier League this season, and the ambitious Championship club have made a strong move over the weekend as they look to reinforce their squad for the closing months of the campaign. Neil will be reunited with former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, with Kieran McKenna's side determined to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. A defeat to Sheffield United means they sit five points behind second-placed Middlesbrough, though they have played one game less.

It means that Neil has almost certainly played his last game for his boyhood club, having been an integral part of their two promotions from League One back to the Premier League. The loan will take Neil to the end of his contract on Wearside, with an extension now deemed highly unlikely. Neil could sign for Ipswich Town permanently in the summer or move elsewhere, with Rangers and number of Bundesliga side known to have expressed an interest. Neil's contract position meant a significant permanent bid this window was unlikely, and his extremely limited game time this season means that Sunderland will not stand in his way. The deal to move to Ipswich on loan is not at this stage concluded, but is now deemed the most likely outcome by all parties.

Régis Le Bris confirmed that an exit could be possible in the early stages of this week after Neil was absent from the matchday squad for the 3-1 defeat to West Ham United. Neil will depart having made 200 appearances for the club, and played a central role in their rise back to the biggest stage.

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Luke O’Nien’s tribute to Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil

Luke O'Nien has praised Dan Neil's dedication behind the scenes this season as he moves closer to a Sunderland exit.

Neil has struggled for regular game time this season following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League, and was absent from the squad entirely as the Black Cats fell to a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United.

O'Nien has himself found regular minutes hard to come by, with few of those who helped Sunderland win promotion starting regularly so far this season. The club captain said Neil could be proud of his efforts in a difficult period and spoke of his pride at watching Neil helped lead his boyhood club to two promotions.

"I think everybody wants to play," O'Nien said.

"There's only 11 spots, it's competitive. I just try to be a good teammate, the same things I did in League One but hopefully a better version of myself.

"The ones that aren't playing, they set the culture at the football club. You can argue it's not going for them at the minute, the same with me, I'm not playing, but for the people who aren't playing every minute, they're the ones who set the tone. So when they're on their recovery day tomorrow, how hard are they training? I always say these guys have done so well. I'm so proud of them. They keep pushing the standards. Those guys are the reason we got promoted last season. And when you see Dan Neil pushing the starters as hard as he can. He's supported this club since day one, think of how much he's given this club, it's been one of my proudest things seeing his journey.

"On paper it's not going for him and he's not playing, but I'm so proud of how hard he's trained every day. I wish people from the outside could see how important he's been in driving the standards. Him, Simon Moore, Leo, young lads who don't travel but train so well every day.

"I wish everyone could see it. I'm so proud of them."

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