Sunderland have wrapped up a deal to let Anthony Patterson continue his stay in the fifth tier of English football, as reported by Shields Gazette.

The Black Cats are flying high in the third tier this campaign and have looked solid in their bid to try and finally gain promotion back into the Championship. In goal, they've been turning to the dependable Ron-Thorben Hoffman in-between the sticks and it's meant that they have been able to let the young keeper leave on a short-term basis.

Patterson has featured six times for Sunderland so far in his career and even came through the youth ranks at the Black Cats in his youth. However, with game-time hard to come by while the club are battling at the top end of League One, he would have found action hard to come by.

 

 

Instead, he's been allowed to join Notts County in the National League to try and get some more games under his belt.

He's featured on several occasions for them so far, after they suffered an injury to their starting shot-stopper.

After impressing with them, both clubs have now reached an agreement to allow Patterson to stay with them until January. The original agreement was just for a short months loan but they will now be able to utilise him until the turn of the year.

It means that not only will Sunderland be able to let one of their younger players get more action elsewhere while they battle for promotion, but County will be boosted by his prolonged presence and can make a challenge of their own in the fifth tier of English football.

The Verdict

This deal suits both parties. Sunderland can let him get some valuable experience and then he could return to the club more suited for action with them, while County can benefit from him for at least the next couple of months.

The agreement then is a win-win - and means that County can push on themselves in their bid for promotion back into the EFL.