Will Grigg not in Sunderland squad with Kyle Lafferty in contention for debut at MK Dons

Grigg has traveled with the team but Phil Parkinson has named Marc McNulty and Kyle Lafferty on the bench, with Charlie Wyke leading the line.

The Blak Cats striker, who arrived in a deal worth at least £3 million on deadline day last year, has been linked with a move away from Wearside and has not had any first-team action since the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on December 14th.

With Sunderland reluctant to loan him to a League One rival, Swindon Town, currently top of League Two, have been linked with a move.

However, Parkinson on said Thursday that there were no offers on the table ‘beneficial at this stage’.

“Will is going to attract attention because as we all know, his goalscoring record is very good,” he said.

“At the moment, he’s with us and he’s got competition for his place and that’s good.

“If the situation came with any player who fell down the pecking order and it’s beneficial for him and us for a loan move, we’d consider it.

“But it’s not at this stage.”

Parkinson has made just one change to the side that beat Wycombe Wanderers so emphatically last weekend.

Joel Lynch replaces Tom Flanagan, who came off at half time last weekend after picking up a shoulder problem.

He returned to training late this week and is fit enough to take a place on the bench.