Swindon Town boss reacts to talk of surprise swoop for Sunderland striker Will Grigg

The Sunderland striker’s future is uncertain after the arrival of Kyle Lafferty, with Phil Parkinson likely to add another forward player before the January window shuts.

Grigg has been an unused substitute in his last five games, but the Black Cats are wary that his record is such that loaning him to a League One club could majorly benefit a promotion rival if he finds form.

That has raised Swindon’s interest, as they search for a replacement for Eoin Doyle.

Doyle is the top scorer in the Football League this season, but was recalled by Bradford City last week.

Swindon currently sit top of the League Two table.

Asked about Grigg, Wellens told the Swindon Advertiser: “Maybe. Eoin Doyle was, so maybe, we’ll see.”

Wellens went on to admit that he wanted an experienced operator to replace Doyle, rather than looking to loan a talented U23 player from futher up the league pyramid.

“I have to go after those kinds of players because the under-23 options are out there, but I want someone who has got a belief he can come in and score goals,” he said.

“I don’t want them to be coming here and thinking: ‘this is my first loan, I’m living away from home for the first time, how am I going to settle in with the lads?’

“I want someone who is experienced, who knows the game and is ready to come in and have an impact straight away.

“No settling in period, he knows he’s going to play straight away for a team that are going to make a lot of chances, and he’s going to come in and hit the ground running.

“Yes they cost a bit more, but the profile of player that we’re looking at is someone with a track record, with experience and someone who the players will look at and go ‘if we make chances, this bloke will put the ball in the net.’”