Will Grigg's Sunderland future takes a fresh twist as Oxford United rival Shrewsbury Town for loan deal

Robinson was keen on a move for the frontman last January, before then-manager Phil Parkinson decided to keep the striker on Wearside.

But with the door now seemingly open for Grigg to depart Wearside this month, Oxford are once again in the race.

Shrewsbury Town were seemingly the front-runners to seal a loan move for the Northern Ireland international, who hasn’t played since mid-December.

But Robinson is keen to bring the striker to the Kassam Stadium before Monday’s 11pm deadline.

He told the Oxford Mail: "I'm desperate to bring in Will Grigg.

"I want him to fight with Matty Taylor and Sam Winnall for a place up front."

Lee Johnson was quizzed on Grigg’s future on Thursday, and admitted he was happy to see the striker remain at the Stadium of Light – but also wouldn’t stand in the way of an exit.

"I’ve had detailed conversations with Will and I’m more than happy to have Will Grigg here competing at this football club as one of our four strikers," Johnson said.

"Obviously he’s got his own opinion on that and it’s certainly not negative towards Sunderland but he wants to find that buzz and that spark and score goals again and he may well think there is a better place to do it than here given the competition he’s got.

"I won't Will out until we get one in, it's as simple as that.

"If Shrewsbury is the desired destination, then I haven't got a problem with that at all because I know that they will look after him.

"Remember that this isn't Will gone for good, he is under contract for next season.

"So if it helps Shrewsbury, us and it helps Will, then I've got no problem with that at all.

"At the same time, my priority is Sunderland and getting enough wins between now and the end of the season to be successful."

Whether Sunderland would sanction a move to Oxford, who remain in the promotion hunt, remains to be seen.

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