George Dobson is the name on the lips of most Sunderland fans right now as he seemingly nears a move to Wearside.

He's been linked with a switch to Jack Ross' side, with Walsall leaving him at home as they embark on a pre-season tour of Poland.

The 21-year-old had an impressive season for the Saddlers, but they were relegated to League Two. He captained the side despite his tender years and is surely seen as a natural successor to Lee Cattermole.

Do the stats back up his potential? We shine a spotlight on George Dobson.

Firstly, let's be very clear on what Sunderland need to drive them forward. Some might say a striker, but in truth they have two very good centre forwards already. In terms of their current set up, they're surely crying out for a holding midfielder.

They played a 4-2-3-1 last season, often seen as a dour formation which left them hard to break down but short on the killer instinct. It didn't leave them short on goals though, they scored in most of the matches they played in.

Lots of their football revolved around Lee Cattermole and whoever else held the midfield with him. Cattermole has gone, Grant Leadbitter isn't getting any younger and Dylan McGeouch didn't always impress. Enter George Dobson.

He played 44 times for Walsall in all competitions last season which is impressive when you consider he's only 21. He was a player who liked to get on the ball and deliver it to a teammate, with 79.3% pass accuracy. That's all well and good, but accurate passes played backwards are very easy to make.

Dobson wasn't a sideways and backwards man. 8.67 of his balls per game were delivered into the final third. That's what Sunderland need, the link between a solid defence and quick attack.

He protects the defence too which is something Cattermole did well. He made 5.44 interceptions per encounter, winning 56.4% of his defensive duels. That is better than some defenders and highlights the capabilities he has in the holding role.

What Sunderland don't need is a hero coming from deep. Aiden McGeady, Chris Maguire, Will Grigg; they can do the dribbling, assisting and scoring. Dobson's numbers prove he's a steady influence in the midfield, with just 1.81 average dribbles per game. In other words, he'll carry the ball if the chance arises but you won't see him storming forward and leaving his post.

You won't see George Dobson in amongst the assists, but his passing stats coupled with his defensive numbers paint a picture of the perfect replacement for Lee Cattermole.