Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed the club have received enquiries about the availability of Ethan Robson on loan this month, but that the midfielder will only be allowed to leave if his side have enough options to cope with his absence.

Robson returned to the Stadium of Light earlier this month after spending the first half of the season on loan in League Two with Grimsby Town, where he made 21 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has yet to feature for Sunderland since linking back up with the Black Cats, although it seems Robson's ability to play at left wingback means Parkinson is keen to keep him at the club for the time, with Denver Hume their only other option in that position.

Speaking to The Chronicle about Robson's future beyond the end of this month, the Sunderland boss said: "Ethan is with us at the moment and we looked at him at left wingback in training on Saturday because he has played wide left in his career.

"And he did really well in the wingback role and scored a goal. A few clubs have asked about taking him on loan, obviously Grimsby are one of those and there have been a couple of others.

"We have that thing where he wants to go and play, but equally we can only let that happen if we are confident we have the cover."

Sunderland are said to be keen to add another left wingback to their side this month, something which it is thought could then allow Robson to complete a loan move elsewhere.

There are just six months remaining on Robson's contract at Sunderland, meaning he could find himself leaving the Stadium of Light for good in the summer, regardless of what happens by the end of this month.

The Verdict

It looks like this is a difficult position for everyone concerned to be in.

For Robson, you feel he will be keen to get another loan move for the second half of the season, in order to get a better chance of enjoying more regular game time.

However, that would rule out any chance of him being able to step in for the first-team at Sunderland in the coming months, something which if he were to impress while doing, could be more beneficial for his chances of earning a new contract at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland themselves will surely be keen to give Robson those opportunities, but will also be conscious of leaving themselves short in their promotion push, meaning ask things stand, it looks as though this could prove to be something of a waiting game for both parties.