Grimbsy Town manager Ian Holloway says the club missed out on a second loan deal for Sunderland midfielder Ethan Robson on the final day of the January transfer window after an injury to a member of the Black Cats' squad.

Robson had spent the first half of the season on loan with the League Two side, making 21 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals for the Mariners.

It now appears as though Robson had been close to a return to Blundell Park for the second half of the season, as when speaking about his side's attempts to secure another loan deal for the 23-year-old, Holloway was quoted by the Sunderland Echo as saying: "Ethan was a little bit unfortunate for us, but a little bit fortunate for him I suppose.

"A day before, Phil Parkinson said it looked like we might be able to have him and that he “might have got someone else in.

"Then the following morning, he had a problem with one of his more senior players who picked up an injury, so he could not let Ethan come out."

It is thought that the player who has suffered that injury is Grant Leadbitter, but that the injury suffered by the 34-year-old is not serious.

Robson - whose contract at the Stadium of Light is set to expire at the end of this season - has yet to be named in a matchday squad by Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson since his return to the club earlier this month.

The Verdict

This seems slightly strange to me.

Given the lack of opportunities he has been given since his move back to the Stadium of Light, it does seem to me as though Robson could have been bettered served returning to Grimsby for more regular first-team football.

Indeed, considering he seems to be well down the pecking order at Sunderland, it doesn't really seem as though he was especially needed as injury cover for Leadbitter, particularly if the setback is indeed a minor one.

It will be interesting to if the situation around Robson changes in the next few months, given he will surely be desperate to prove he is worthy of a new contract with Sunderland beyond the end of this season.