Jack Ross is hoping to tie Elliot Embleton down to a new deal after the midfielder's impressive outings for Grimsby in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is on a super run of form with the League Two side, helping to earn manager Michael Jolley the Manager of the Month award.

Embleton himself won the Bristol Street Motors PFA Player of the Month for December too, adding to his growing reputation. Now Ross is keen to ensure that he remains a Sunderland player to continue that development.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, he said; "We had a good meeting with Tony [Coton] and Richard [Hill] at the start of the month when they came up."

"We speak very regularly but we don't always get the chance to sit down together. Elliot was discussed and from my perspective as a manager, I want to keep him at the club"

Further to that, the former St Mirren boss is also under the impression that the midfielder wants to remain a Black Cat.

"The loan period has been great for him, I think he's a really good player and he knows that. Again it comes down to it being resolved by all the parties involved but I've no reason to think that he doesn't want to stay at the club."

Embleton has started 17 League Two matches for the Mariners this season, scoring three goals. He recently starred as they agonisingly lost at Premier League Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round despite playing 87 minutes with ten men.

The Verdict

Embleton looks to have a good future ahead of him. He's yet another strong footballer to come out of the Sunderland Under 23 side, like Honeyman, Gooch and Maja.

It would be a disaster if he were to leave the club for nothing at the end of his contract, the academy is there to develop players for the good of the club. No wonder Ross wants it tied up as soon as possible.