Sunderland confirm Ross Stewart contract talks will intensify during injury lay-off

Tony Mowbray has given a contract update on Ross Stewart, and discussed how his injury might affect things.

Tony Mowbray says he expects Sunderland contract talks with Ross Stewart to ‘intensify’ despite his season-ending injury.

Stewart is out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing achilles surgery, meaning when he returns he will be inside the final 12 months of his current deal.

That is a situation Sunderland have been trying to rectify for some time now without success, particularly with a clutch of suitors waiting to pounce.

There had been speculation that the injury would delay things whilst the Black Cats waited to assess any long-term implications of the surgery, but Mowbray has confirmed that couldn’t be further from the case.

“I would expect those talks to intensify,” Mowbray said. “I think we should be trying to get Ross Stewart signed up long term.

“I’ve said it many times, it’s not my job, but in my mind, if he’s the player that you think can score the goals for this club moving forward, then you need to get things sorted regardless of whether he’s fit to play or not.

“If you believe in the footballer and the guy, that’s the most important thing. Maybe the dynamics of it change a little bit for both parties (because of the injury), but the key thing in my mind would be to get an offer that looks enticing for Ross and his family.

“Let’s get him tied up, and let’s move forward.”

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