Sunderland are are working on a deal for Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, and are still trying to re-sign Ellis Simms, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

Gelhardt has been linked with a number of Championship clubs this month, after finding game time hard to come by at Elland Road during the first half of this season.

It had been reported that the striker's former club Wigan Athletic, had been close to agreeing a deal for his services, however it is not as close as expected.

That has apparently left the door open for Sunderland to swoop in for the 20-year-old, and they are trying to get a deal done.

Despite that, the Black Cats also want to bring Everton forward Simms back to the Stadium of Light for the second half of this season.

Simms spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Sunderland, and scored seven goals in 17 appearances for the Championship side.

He was then recalled from that loan move by Everton earlier this month, and has since made two substitute appearances for the Toffees in the Premier League.

Due to regulations prohibiting players from playing for more than two clubs in a season, Sunderland are now the only club who can sign Simms in the January transfer window, and they are still keen to do so.