Sunderland are interested in bringing in Cameron Archer on loan for the second half of the season from Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old showed tonnes of promise at Preston North End last term and has attracted interest from high profile second tier clubs ever since.

The Black Cats have endured a striker injury crisis this season and may be preparing to react to a Ross Stewart exit come the turn of the year, with Archer a target according to Football Insider.

Is it a good potential move?

It would more likely than not, be beneficial for both parties.

Archer has made nine Premier League appearances in the last two seasons, but none from the start, and for that reason it would still be valuable experience for the mobile forward to experience playing in front of large crowds week in week out.

With that in mind, there is no better destination in the EFL than Wearside, and he would likely command a starting position under Tony Mowbray.

There is also a healthy group of younger players in the squad who would have had similar journeys to that of Archer's so far, who should have a positive influence on how much he takes from the loan spell.

Would he start?

The introduction of five substitutions would suggest that it is less important that Archer starts often, because he could still pick up significant minutes on a regular basis.

However, Villa will likely want assurances that he is going to be first choice, and Mowbray would find a way to make that possible.

With Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart in the squad, it would be tough to breach that partnership, suggesting that Archer may not end up at the Stadium of Light, if the former duo remain in place come the turn of the year.

That said, Archer would start, if that is what is required to bring him in, with Simms taking up a finisher role.

 

 

What does he offer?

Bags of energy, pace to hurt teams in behind and impressive finishing ability considering his limited experience.

Archer is a completely different type of striker to Simms and Stewart, and for that reason may give defenders more to think about, in combination with one of them in Mowbray's 3-5-2 system.

Luring Archer to the North East would also restrict other second tier clubs who will have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements in January.

It would be a very exciting pick-up, even only on a temporary basis.