Sunderland's on-loan Reading striker Marc McNulty has emerged as a target for Swindon Town, journalist Alan Nixon has reported.

The Robins are in need of a new attacker this month, following the loss of Eoin Doyle, who was recalled from his loan by League Two rivals Bradford City earlier this week.

Doyle had scored 23 goals in 22 league appearances for Swindon during a loan spell with the club in the first half of the season, but has now returned to Valley Parade, and featured for the Bantams in their 2-1 defeat at Crawley on Saturday afternoon.

That void is one that Swindon will be desperate to fill to maintain their hopes of securing a place in League One for next season, and it seems they have turned their attention to McNulty for that role, with Nixon's latest update suggesting an agreement could see the striker's loan spell with the Black Cats cut short in favour of a move to the County Ground.

McNulty joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Reading in the summer transfer window, and has since scored five goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats.

Swindon meanwhile currently sit top of the League Two table, nine points clear of the play-off places, following their 3-1 win over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

This could be a useful deal for Swindon.

Doyle is going to be incredibly difficult for them to replace, but McNulty's experience further up the football pyramid does at least mean he too should be capable of making an impact for them at League Two level.

Indeed, with his game time having been reduced since the appointment of Phil Parkinson as Sunderland manager earlier this season, McNulty could be open to a move such as this, particularly with the opportunity it would give him to get another promotion on his CV.