Football League World

Leeds United have been dealt a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey, who is of interest to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the January transfer window.

That's according to a recent report from Football Insider, where it has been claimed that Spurs have enquired for Godfrey.

Godfrey, who made his first-team breakthrough at Norwich City under current Whites boss Daniel Farke before earning a reported £25 million switch to Everton in 2020, currently finds himself out of favour at Atalanta.

The 26-year-old has chalked up just 22 minutes of league action this term for Atalanta, who are currently leading the way in the Serie A standings with a two-point advantage over second-placed Napoli.

It's understandable, then, just why he hasn't been able to gain much of a look-in under Gian Piero Gasperini despite only joining back in the summer and why the exit door appears a potential avenue next month, but Leeds' chances of completing the deal are now seemingly weaker.

Tottenham Hotspur join transfer race for Atalanta's Ben Godfrey

As per the aforementioned report, Spurs have made contact with Atalanta in a bid to sign Godfrey and alleviate the current defensive crisis in which Ange Postecoglou is contending with.

It's said that Spurs are looking to acquire Godfrey on a short-term loan deal for the remainder of the campaign, as Postecoglou seeks a quick-fix to the side's present concerns.

Spurs, who have conceded nine goals in their last two matches and were put to the sword in a 3-6 home defeat to Liverpool yesterday afternoon, are currently without their first-choice central defensive duo of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero through injury.

Consequently, ex-Whites prodigy Archie Gray has been forced to play at centre-back as of late following his summer move from Elland Road.

Leeds United's interest in Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Ben Godfrey

It could represent something of a blow to Leeds, who are reportedly keen on Godfrey. Last week, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed the Whites' interest to LeedsUnited.News, though he clarified that any such move remains unlikely until Farke's side return to the Premier League, adding further incentive to their promotion pursuit.

Leeds are currently competing for automatic promotion and they're just three points behind league leaders Sheffield United, so a return to the top-flight and a subsequent move for Godfrey could well happen but their chances at potentially landing him in the winter window now feel even slimmer.

Bailey explained to LeedsUnited.News: "Godfrey is someone Leeds have liked for a long time. It is totally dependent on Leeds getting back to the Premier League. The player has interest in January, but from what I’m told he’s not massively looking to move.

"Everyone thinks, oh well he’s not getting game time at Atalanta. But they don’t actually realise that Atalanta are top of the league, the only reason he’s not in is because they’re playing so well.

"It’s not as if they don’t like him, they are literally just top of Serie A. British media are misreading that personally, Leeds like him but are only in the conversation if they go up."

Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur have taken an interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Pierce Charles.

This is according to an update on X from Darren Witcoop, who has also reiterated that Spurs are also keeping tabs on Sunderland shot-stopper Anthony Patterson.

Both Trafford and Patterson have been the subject of plenty of Premier League interest in the past - and it previously looked likely that the former would secure an exit from Turf Moor following the Clarets' relegation from the top flight at the end of last term.

With Vaclav Hladky and Etienne Green both arriving, that could have made room for Trafford to make the move away from Lancashire, but he stayed put in the end and is currently Scott Parker's number one between the sticks.

It remains to be seen how long he will stay at the club for though, with chairman Alan Pace previously showing a willingness to cash in on players for the right price.

Pierce, meanwhile, currently finds himself behind loanee James Beadle in the pecking order, and his game time for the Owls this season has been limited because of this.

But that hasn't prevented him from attracting interest from elsewhere - and it's unclear whether he will still be at Hillsborough when the January transfer window closes.

Spurs eyeing Championship trio including James Trafford

Spurs' interest in Patterson has already been reported in the past, but it has now emerged that they are keeping an eye on two other stoppers in the EFL.

Trafford is now believed to be on their radar, having seen his £16m move to Newcastle United fall through during the summer transfer window.

Charles is another player now believed to be of interest to Ange Postecoglou's side, having recently attracted interest from Aston Villa.

All three Championship teams may be keen to take a tough stance on their keepers

The Clarets will surely be keen to retain their best players beyond the end of January, having cashed in on quite a few first-teamers during the January window.

A period of stability in the squad is needed - and their summer sales should allow them to retain much of their first team.

The Black Cats will also want stability in their squad as they continue their own promotion push - and keeping Patterson could make a real difference for them.

In terms of Charles, it's hard to say what the Owls will want to do with him.

But they may regret letting him go if they do in January, so all three players could potentially be kept by their respective clubs.

For whatever reason, things never really worked out for Georges-Kevin N'Koudou in England with both Tottenham and Burnley, but his career after leaving the country has certainly taken an upward trajectory.

It was Spurs who took the first punt on N'Koudou back in September 2016 when he was a fresh-faced 21-year-old, bringing the Frenchman in from Marseille for £9.4 million.

There were high hopes that N'Koudou could be a star of the future for Tottenham, but he found it difficult to adapt in England, and never truly reached the heights it was hoped he would do when he made the initial move.

Competition for places at Spurs back then was understandably high, and when he moved to Burnley in January 2018, many expected he would flourish playing in a side where competition wasn't quite as intense.

It didn't really work out that way for the fleet-footed winger though, who brought his struggles with him to Burnley, as he again struggled to make inroads into a Premier League starting XI.

Since leaving Spurs though, his career seems to have ignited, and some may be surprised to see just how well he's doing at the moment.

Georges-Kevin N'Koudou's career has taken off after failed Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley spells

After struggling so much in the English top-flight, it was a little surprising to see Besiktas stump up £4.6m to take him to Turkey, but he had a relatiely successful time in the Turkish Super League - more so than he did in England anyway.

For context, those 108 appearances made for Besiktas were almost three times as he made for Burnley and Spurs combined, while the 21 goals he scored in Turkey compares to just one netted in England, so his career has certainly taken off since leaving.

He now plays in Saudi Arabia for Damac FC, and his record this season has been nothing short of phenomenal, scoring eight goals in 13 Saudi Pro League games, and he also boasts an incredible six-match scoring streak in home games for the Saudi club.

This term, only Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandr Mitrovic have scored more goals in the Saudi top-flight that N'Koudou, who seems to have found a level at which he excels.

Even last season he impressed in the Middle East too, clocking up 20 goal contributions in 35 league games for the club, although he could only help them to a mid-table finish.

Unlike some other clubs in Saudi though, not many of his other teammates are household names, with 79-cap Romania international midfielder Nicolae Stanciu perhaps the next best-known.

It's hard to believe that N'Koudou is the same player who flopped at Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley

English football fans largely won't pay too much attention to the goings-on in the Saudi Pro League, so to most, it will be a huge surprise to see N'Koudou excelling the way he has done over there.

Naturally, the standard of the league isn't as high as the Premier League, but he showed few signs when playing in England that he could go on to perform at the level he did do.

He certainly didn't stand out in a Burnley team who had a squad of players far less talented than those Spurs had, which would suggest that the then-European-chasing Clarets were probably a level too high for him.

There's an argument to be had that N'Koudou has now found his level in Saudi Arabia, but on the evidence of his two spells in England, no one would've believed that he'd be rivalling Ronaldo and Benzema for a golden boot.

Tottenham Hotspur will not make a move for a goalkeeper until the summer amid links to Burnley and Sunderland's respective keepers, James Trafford and Anthony Patterson, according to GiveMeSport.

As soon as Guglielmo Vicario suffered an ankle injury against Manchester City, that is set to keep him out for months, it was no surprise to see reports of them looking to shop in the glovesmen department.

It was also not a shock to see Ange Postecoglou's side - one that likes to play out from the back - look at some of the young talents of the second tier, including Trafford, 22, and Patterson, 24.

Burnley's number one, who already has experience in the Premier League thanks to his first season with the Clarets, was a target of Newcastle United's in the summer, but the two clubs could not reach an agreement. Now it is Spurs who have a supposed interest in the England under-21 international, according to talkSPORT.

The Sun's Alan Nixon has since reported that Sunderland's first choice has also emerged as an option for Tottenham. The club's academy product has been their starting keeper for the past three-and-a-half seasons, and has also been linked with other top flight teams like Manchester United.

Spurs to not make January move for a goalkeeper

The timing of Vicario's injury - not too long before the new year - made signing someone in his position in the winter window seem like the logical thing to do. Fraser Forster is currently in net for Spurs, and while he's by no means useless, the 36-year-old is not necessarily the type of goalkeeper that Postecoglou would recruit to start games for him.

Burnley and Sunderland supporters may have feared potentially losing their first choices between the sticks, but, according to GiveMeSport, Spurs are going to wait until the summer to bring in someone that can challenge Vicario.

If they do make a move for a goalkeeper, they would most likely slot in as the number two behind the Italian, but with the view that they could push him and not just be like Forster, who is there in case of emergencies like the current one.

Burnley and Sunderland must have goalkeeping succession plans in place

The talent of the two sides' shot-stoppers makes it inevitable that higher-ranking teams will be interested in them almost every single window. Burnley and Sunderland aren't likely to settle for any less than £20 million for either player, but someone will test that sooner or later.

The Clarets do have a strong back-up, or maybe two, in the building already, with promotion-winning keeper Vaclav Hladky and Etienne Green on their books.

Carlton Palmer does not expect Leeds United to sanction the sale of Pascal Struijk this January amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Brighton.

According to Teamtalk, the trio of Premier League clubs are eyeing a potential move for the centre-back in the new year.

Struijk is a key figure in Daniel Farke’s side, and has played in all 21 of the Whites’ opening league fixtures so far this term.

Leeds also lack defensive options, with Max Wober and Joe Rodon being their only other recognised centre-backs in the first team squad.

Carlton Palmer gives Pascal Struijk transfer verdict

Palmer has praised Struijk’s performances for Leeds this year, and believes he could be a solution to Spurs’ own defensive issues.

However, he is sceptical that the Championship side would sanction any big sales in January, given their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

“What’s surfaced at the moment is that clubs in the Premier League, Tottenham, Wolves, to mention two, are interested in signing their experienced centre-back Struijk,” Palmer told Football League World.

“The 25-year-old has been absolutely outstanding for Leeds United this season.

“The likes of Tottenham are looking to strengthen that area in the transfer window, with the likes of Micky van de Ven, who has been injured a lot with hamstrings and Romero, who has either been suspended or injured.

“They’ve had a problem in that area.

“But I think it’s unlikely that Leeds are going to sell the 25-year-old in the January transfer window given their remit is to get back to the Premier League.

“However, Struijk is one of those players who signed for the club as a kid, so any transfer fee they would retain for Struijk would be profit.

“But with Leeds looking to get back to the Premier League this season, that is their priority, I cannot see them entertaining any kind of sale.

“They did what they had to do in the summer with the sale of Gray, with the sale of Summerville.

“I think it’s highly unlikely any more players will be allowed to leave Leeds United in the January transfer market, with their remit to get back to the Premier League.”

Leeds will need mega offer to sanction Struijk sale

It seems highly unlikely that Leeds will want to cash in on anyone this January given how close the competition is at the top of the table.

The team’s lack of alternative options in the squad means that centre-back is one area where they are especially unlikely to sell.

It will surely have to take a mega offer in order for them to part ways with the Belgian, all things considered.

While Spurs and Wolves may be desperate to strengthen at the back, it’s not likely they’d be willing to splash the cash just for Struijk given what will be needed to convince Leeds to sell.

Tottenham Hotspur had a relatively quiet summer transfer window compared to some of their Premier League rivals, but one of their more notable additions was that of Archie Gray, who joined Spurs from Championship outfit Leeds United last summer.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou clearly has high hopes for the 18-year-old, who excelled in the second tier for the Whites last season, which was enough to convince the north London side to fork out a fee within the region of £30m for his services.

Making the switch from a Championship side to a Premier League club who are also striving to enjoy a successful Europa League campaign was a brave jump for Gray, who had to wait until early December to make his first top-flight start, albeit he had heavily featured for Spurs in both the EFL Cup and in Europe.

Gray's position at Spurs will surprise Leeds

Last season was Gray's first as a member of the senior squad at Elland Road, and one in which he proved his versatility, as he shone through as one of the second tier's best players both at full-back and in central midfield.

However, during his time with the West Yorkshire club, the Leeds academy graduate never started at centre-back for the Whites in the Championship, but being moved to central defence by Postecoglou has seen him make back-to-back starts for Spurs for the first time.

The Whites faithful will be surprised to see Gray operating as a central defender, but it is a role which clearly has the potential to work in both his and Tottenham's favour.

Last Thursday, he starred at the heart of Postecoglou's back four alongside Romania international Radu Dragusin, as Spurs drew 1-1 with Rangers at Ibrox.

Following a decent performance in Glasgow, the talented teenager was chosen as a centre-back once more as his side took on Southampton on Sunday night, and it worked a treat as Spurs kept a clean sheet during an emphatic 5-0 win over the Saints.

Furthermore, as per FotMob, Gray completed the most passes out of any player involved in Sunday's fixture between the Saints and Spurs, with 91 successful passes.

While the central defence role is still fairly unfamiliar to the England youth international, who played as a full-back or in midfield for Leeds last term, he is currently performing well there, and has every chance of remaining in his new position for upcoming challenges against Manchester United in the EFL Cup, and against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the top-flight.

Leeds supporters will be proud of Gray's Tottenham exploits

Last term, the Ellland Road faithful would have felt an enormous sense of pride seeing their club's academy graduate performing so well for the West Yorkshire side week in, week out.

Furthermore, the 18-year-old is part of a proud Leeds dynasty, as the son of Andy Gray, who played for the Whites in the Premier League, and the grandson of Frank Gray, who won the first division title with the Elland Road outfit in the 1970s, while he is also the great nephew of Leeds legend Eddie Gray.

His family links to the club will have made his decision to leave the Whites even more difficult, but supporters will also be proud to see him performing so well in the top-flight and in the Europa League.

But one aspect of Gray's Spurs career to date which may continue to surprise Leeds fans is that he is being deployed as a centre-back for his new club. He has the talent to play anywhere on the pitch in the eyes of many, but to see him at the heart of defence for an established and ambitious Premier League side already, will catch a few off guard.

The injury crisis at AFC Wimbledon could not have come at the worst time, and yet, you could also argue that there is a silver lining.

Despite the slew of injuries occurring right when the tough fixture buildup period around December and January has hit, the winter transfer window is just around the corner.

Even with the low transfer funds that fans of Wimbledon have become accustomed to too, thanks to being fan-owned and funded, there needs to be some moves made, especially in the defensive unit, which is where a former club of Johnnie Jackson steps in.

Johnnie Jackson must use Tottenham Hotspur connection to bring in Alfie Dorrington

Jackson should look to lean on his connections with Tottenham Hotspur, who were his first professional club, having signed that deal with the North London side in 1999. He would go on to play at Spurs 20 times and stayed until 2006.

It's another Tottenham graduate that he should have his eye on now, centre-back Alfie Dorrington.

Dorrington is highly thought of at Spurs, having been at the club since the age of 13 and progressing impressively through the ranks. He became the club's under-21s captain along the way, as well as earning youth international caps for England from u15 to u19 level, where he currently is in the England setup.

He is also a boyhood Tottenham fan and surely has his eyes set on becoming a mainstay in the Spurs first team in the not-too-distant future, having already signed his first professional deal with the club back in 2023 and trained with the senior squad since late last year too.

But the Lilywhites are probably going to want to test him out on loan first, with Dorrington not given first-team opportunities under Ange Postecoglou despite their current injury crisis at the back, and Wimbledon could be the perfect location for him.

He has gained experience against EFL and National League sides already this season, having played in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup group stages with Spurs age-group sides, so he will not take too much bedding into the tough rigours of League Two.

Away from match experience and readiness for action at Wimbledon, he is also perfectly suited to Jackson's style of play. A modern centre-back, Dorrington is comfortable and confident in possession, which is exactly the sort of player Jackson needs - with James Ball and Joe Lewis, the duo usually asked to progress the ball, both injured.

Spurs will want to see all facets of their youngster's game developed and the Dons could offer such a role if a loan deal was agreed.

Despite this transfer being quite an obvious move to make with Wimbledon's current injury problems and Jackson's connection to what you can consider his boyhood club, it would only be the second occurrence of using former club links to sign players up.

His only other signing from a club that he had previously been at was Josh Davison from Charlton Athletic, where Jackson had played, captained, and managed.

He brought Davison into the Addicks' first team while at Charlton as their manager and upon arrival at Wimbledon in the summer of 2022, he made the now 25-year-old one of his first signings, but the former Swindon Town loanee's time at Plough Lane was definitely a mixed bag, and not as successful as both he and Jackson would have hoped.

Instead, the connections most used at the club are those which are shared by Director of Football Craig Cope and first-team coach Dave Reddington, whose connections are to Solihull Moors and Crystal Palace respectively.

And the links between the two are already being used more than with Jackson's and with arguably better outcomes. From one of Cope's former clubs, Solihull Moors, the Dons have already pinched both Josh Kelly and Callum Maycock, and while it may have taken both a little while to grow into their roles at Wimbledon, they are both now becoming strong first-team members and sorely missed in Maycock's case with the midfielder being one of many names on the treatment table.

Whereas Reddington's former club, Crystal Palace, has already lent Wimbledon the services of Owen Goodman in goal since the coach's arrival in the summer.

Connections will forever be useful in the world of football, and despite the Dons' recent dip into the free agent market to sign both Sam Hutchinson and Romaine Sawyers on short-term deals, these links to former clubs should maybe be explored more in the transfer windows to avoid the rush to replace long injury lists with free agents and youth players being recalled from beneficial loan spells.

So, even though Jackson has had a very hit-and-miss record of going back to former sides for signings, it should certainly not be ignored next time an opportunity, or need, presents itself.

Steed Malbranque may not have been a household name for some, but his impact on English football, especially during his time at Sunderland, was profound and helped him achieve cult-hero status.

Born in Mouscron, Belgium, Malbranque progressed through the academy ranks at French club Lyon. Making his professional debut for the club as an 18-year-old in 1998, he proceeded to make nearly 100 appearances before a move to Fulham came to fruition in 2001.

There, he began to earn a reputation as a cultured midfielder with an eye for a pass and an engine that never seemed to run out of fuel. Malbranque’s career in England spanned a decade, and he left his mark at every club he played for, but particularly in the North East with Sunderland.

The Frenchman first arrived on British shores in 2001, when he joined Fulham from French side Lyon. It was at Fulham that he made his name, becoming a key figure for the Cottagers over five seasons. Malbranque’s technical ability, close control, and his knack for threading a perfectly timed pass made him a fan favourite at Craven Cottage.

His versatility allowed him to play both centrally and out wide, adding an extra layer of tactical flexibility to his game. During his time at Fulham, he racked up 211 appearances, scoring 44 goals and providing 29 assists in all competitions, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the final third.

After leaving Fulham in 2006, Malbranque made the move to Tottenham Hotspur, where he enjoyed two seasons of Premier League football. Though his goal contributions dipped slightly, his work ethic and consistency were still clear for all to see. Malbranque was never the most prolific player in front of goal, but his game was more about creativity and being a reliable player out of possession, which were two qualities that made him stand out in a competitive Spurs squad.

Remaining in the Premier League after his two years at Tottenham came to an end, Malbranque's next challenge came at the Stadium of Light, with the midfielder penning a four-year deal at Sunderland. It was his move to the Black Cats in 2008 that arguably brought out the best in Malbranque.

Signed for around £4 million, the Frenchman became an instant hit on Wearside, as his tenacity and quality helped stabilise the Black Cats in the Premier League. Playing under Roy Keane and later Steve Bruce, Malbranque slotted seamlessly into Sunderland’s midfield, where his experience and leadership helped guide the team to comfortable league finishes in most seasons.

Steed Malbranque's career at Sunderland

Malbranque enjoyed his best form in a Sunderland shirt during the 2009/10 season, proving to be fruitful on the left-flank out wide as opposed to the right. Malbranque remained at Sunderland for the 2010/11 season, but this time he moved into a more central role to accommodate loan signing Danny Welbeck.

Across his three-year stint at Sunderland, Malbranque made 112 appearances, and while he only managed two goals, he also provided 16 assists. His numbers may not jump off the page, but his influence on the pitch was undeniable.

Malbranque was the engine of the Sunderland midfield, a player who tirelessly worked box-to-box, linking play and setting the tempo. His intelligence and vision allowed Sunderland to dictate games, especially at home, where his composed play helped the team break down more stubborn defences as the heartbeat of the side.

It was Malbranque’s relentless work rate, coupled with his ability to retain possession under pressure, that endeared him to Sunderland fans. They loved his commitment, his determination to cover every blade of grass, and his willingness to give everything for the shirt.

He was a player who never shirked responsibility, whether it was tracking back to help his defence or driving the team forward in search of a goal. Sunderland hit the jackpot when they signed him, as he brought both quality and experience to the side during a period of transition.

Malbranque may not have grabbed the headlines with spectacular goals or flashy skills, but his contribution to Sunderland was immense. In a team that needed consistency and leadership, he provided both, and that’s why he remains so fondly remembered by Sunderland supporters to this day.

He left with their well-wishes, after completing three years of his four-year deal at The Stadium of Light, when he returned to France with Saint-Etienne securing his services. That's after Steve Bruce stated he was surplus to requirements, and it was also revealed his transfer would help to free up funds for new summer signings as well as to reduce their wage bill.

However, that stint proved to be very brief, and a return to Lyon came to fruition in 2012. Malbranque proceeded to enjoy another four years with the French club, before moves to Caen and a brief retirement before coming out of it to feature for MDA Chasselay.

The midfielder's last spell within his playing career was with FC Limonest Saint-Didier in the Championnat National 3 in 2020 until 2022, which took his playing career comfortably into his 40s, albeit at amateur level back in his native country.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson is attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the January transfer window.

According to The Sun, the Premier League side are considering an approach for the 24-year-old following an injury to Guglielmo Vicario.

Patterson has been a standout performer for the Black Cats since their return to the Championship in 2022.

The goalkeeper has conceded 11 from 14 league appearances in Régis Le Bris’ side this season, keeping seven clean sheets.

Patterson transfer price claim

When asked whether Patterson was good enough to play for Spurs, and what kind of fee could the club command for him, FLW’s Sunderland fan pundit Jack Austwicke suggested it is too soon to make this kind of move in the player’s career.

He has claimed a deal worth £10m-£15 mi would be good for the Black Cats, but that he believes Patterson’s ceiling right now is to be a solid number two to a fit Vicario.

“I’m not sure if Patterson is ready for the top of the Premier League just yet,” Austwicke told Football League World.

“You’re going to get scrutinised week in and week, and you get scrutinised obviously for Sunderland, but that is a huge jump, a massive, massive jump.

“I think as a number two he’d do well, play a few cup games, few of the lesser games, but if Vicario is injured he’s going to go straight in.

“I’m not too sure.

“I think £10m to 15 million for him is a good price, we’d do well to get that, would be happy with that.”

Sunderland told to take Patterson stance

Austwicke believes a January sale would be detrimental to Sunderland, even if alternative goalkeepers could be found to adequately replace him.

“I wouldn’t sell him in January,” he added.

“Simon Moore is a good keeper, don’t get me wrong, and Patterson’s not irreplaceable, there are keepers out there who are as good as him.

“But it would be quite a significant thing to do in January, I wouldn’t really agree with that.

“But, again, Moore isn’t a bad backup, so we’ll see.”

January sale of Patterson would be too disruptive

Patterson is a player with a lot of potential, and a stint in the Premier League is absolutely in his future if he can keep up his development.

But a sale in January would be awkward for Sunderland, and require them to go into the winter market looking for a long-term first-choice goalkeeper option.

Moore is a capable deputy for the odd game here and there, but he is not the future of that position.

Sunderland’s model does mean they’ll always be tempted at the right price, but that figure should be closer to £20 to 25 million in January in order to cash in.

Sunderland have been going well in the Championship, and are still in serious contention for automatic promotion despite their current six-game winless run.

Prior to their somewhat rotten streak, which has included five draws and an away defeat to direct promotion rivals Sheffield United, Regis Le Bris' men had been picking up some impressive results.

For example, the Black Cats hammered Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in August before defeating Burnley, who are vying for an immediate Premier League return.

A 1-0 victory over North East rivals Middlesbrough also produced one of the most memorable moments of the Black Cats' campaign so far, while Le Bris will hope his side can get back to winning ways with some favourable fixtures lying ahead in December.

Indeed, the Stadium of Light faithful will be hoping to see back-to-back home victories when their side take on mid-table opponents Stoke City on Saturday, and Bristol City next Tuesday.

Such an eventuality would see another upturn in fortunes for the Black Cats, but matters could get worse for them in January, if Tottenham Hotspur's interest in goalkeeper Anthony Patterson comes to fruition during the upcoming transfer window.

Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle could be perfect Patterson replacement for Sunderland

Tottenham's interest in Patterson is entirely logical given the fact that their usual number one choice, Guglielmo Vicario, has been ruled out for four months following a fractured ankle injury.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou may be keen on finalising a deal for the Black Cats keeper in January, in an effort to ease the workload of former back-up choice Fraser Forster, who has filled in between the sticks since Vicario's absence.

That would spell bad news for the Black Cats, who will not want to see the departure of their talented academy graduate, during a season in which they are vying for promotion.

However, Wigan's Sam Tickle could be a perfect replacement for Patterson, and he is arguably the best goalkeeper below the Premier League and Championship, while at 22-years-old he boasts plenty of potential.

He maintained a clean sheet during a 7-0 win over Luxembourg on his England Under-21 debut last term, and is proving his worth yet again in League One this campaign.

While an inconsistent Latics side sit 15th in the League One table, only Exeter City's Joe Whitworth has maintained more clean sheets in the division than Tickle this season.

He also boasts an impressive save percentage of 78.7% in the third tier this campaign, as per FotMob, and he made key saves against both Carlisle United and Cambridge United in the FA Cup, to ensure his side's progress to the third round.

Tickle's Arsenal snub could play into Sunderland's favour

There is no doubt that while Tickle is a Latics academy graduate and is clearly enjoying his key role in the senior team, he should be plying his trade in a higher quality division than that of League One.

His ability was majorly highlighted by the fact that Arsenal were interested in his services last summer, after Aaron Ramsdale joined Southampton in search of regular game time.

However, as reported by The Sun, the 22-year-old turned down the chance to join the Premier League giants amid concerns over his own game time.

But if the Black Cats do lose Patterson to Spurs in January, then the number one spot in Le Bris' team would be up for grabs, which could be a major opportunity for Tickle.