Sunderland are now free to court 22-goal striker Gavin Reilly after the player's new deal with St Mirren was sensationally withdrawn by new manager Alan Stubbs.

The Daily Record suggests he could now link up with Jack Ross at the Stadium of Light after the shock move by Stubbs. The 25-year old has been quoted as saying he was keen for a stab at top flight football north of the border and would have signed a new Buddies deal.

“I did have a contract on the table at St Mirren when Jack was there but I had a hectic summer, trying to sort things out with the baby, and that was my priority."

“When I got round to thinking about things Jack left for Sunderland so it was up the air as we had to wait and see who the new manager would be."

Ross took over at Sunderland and was replaced at St Mirren by former Scotland defender Alan Stubbs, which changed the complexion of the situation dramatically.

“The new manager has come in and my agent has had contact with him and it’s his decision he is taking the deal off the table. It’s not my decision to leave. I was still considering the deal but the new manager has decided he doesn’t want to keep me."

“It is a bit disappointing. I had a fantastic season and if we had agreed terms I’d have been more than happy to sign because I was happy there and it would have been exciting to play in the Premiership."

Sunderland are now free to move for Reilly, if indeed that is the plan.

The Verdict

Reilly will come out of this looking good whatever happens. He's made it clear he would have signed a new deal, but he's now free to move to Sunderland, a huge club in comparison to St Mirren, but still maintain he wanted to remain there. Of course, nothing is definite in football and 22 goals is likely to attract a few more suitors before any deals are finalised.