This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sunderland are casting their eyes over former Wolves centre-back Connor Johnson with the 22-year-old currently on trial with the Black Cats, as per the Sunderland Echo.

Several Sunderland defenders are injured at this early stage and it appears Johnson is being earmarked as someone who can bolster their backline.

Johnson was released by Wolves in May but has amassed an array of senior appearances, having had loan stints at Telford United, Walsall and Kilmarnock.

So, what do you make of this? Is Johnson needed? Would he be a wise addition for Parkinson's side?

The team here at FLW discuss...

Toby Wilding

It could be a decent signing.

Sunderland have been dogged by some pretty damaging injury problems already this season, so it could be sensible for them to bring in some cover in the form of Johnson, to help provide them with the options required to cope with those issues.

Having been recruited by a club the size of Wolves, you also have to imagine that Johnson can play to a reasonably high level, and will no doubt be determined to prove himself following his release from Molineux, meaning he is likely to be giving everything he has if he is handed an opportunity by Sunderland.

If however, that does not prove to be the case, then the fact he is a free agent means he will at least be cheap, reducing the financial risk of this if it is not successful, meaning it has to surely be worth considering for the Black Cats.

 

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George Dagless

I think so.

They obviously need a new centre-half addition after the injury to Arby Xhemajli and with the window not open they need to be looking at free transfers for obvious reasons.

Xhemajli is out for the long-term and so a new signing is needed to at least get them to January and then they can look at buying more cover in that area.

Johnson is a player that is low cost and has experience working alongside some top players, whilst he'll be eager to show what he can do if he is given a contract.

Ned Holmes

I'm not hugely convinced by this one.

On one hand, scooping the centre-back up as a free agent is low risk and high reward – something that may be particularly appealing to the Black Cats in the current circumstances.

Sunderland have struggled due to injuries to defenders in recent weeks but with Dion Sanderson joining on loan and Tom Flanagan back fit, you have to question whether they really need Johnson.

They've got quite a few central defenders on their books already and I'm not sure that signing the 22-year-old helps them that much if I'm honest.

If anything, it will mean less opportunities for some of the players coming through the academy.

No need, for me.