The future of Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is set to be an interesting one this summer, with the 25-year-old adapting to regular League One football seamlessly this season. 

Stewart who arrived at The Stadium of Light in January 2021, featured 11 times near the end of the last campaign, netting twice in that time. 

With Charlie Wyke departing last summer, the talismanic pressures were placed on Stewart's shoulders, with the Scotsman dealing with the added expectation very well. 

As per a report from The Sun on Sunday (27.03.21, pg. 67), Norwich City are interested in a move for the Sunderland forward, with the Canaries looking increasingly likely to suffer relegation back to the Championship. 

Speaking to FLW, journalist Pete O'Rourke addressed the likelihood of the Black Cats keeping Stewart beyond this summer: "A lot might depend where Sunderland are playing next season.

"If they win promotion to the championship, they will be desperate to keep Ross Stewart and obviously playing up a league will boost their chances of keeping hold of him."

The verdict 

Stewart has proven to be an excellent scorer of goals this season, and important ones too, with the 25-year-old defying expectations with his 24 league goals. 

Not only has his goalscoring abilities been there for all to see this season, but his relentlessness and physicality has also caused chaos within League One defences. 

As O'Rourke quite rightly points out, Sunderland will face a huge battle in keeping him at The Stadium of Light if they are to remain in the third-tier for another season. 

Stewart could play a massive part in the play-offs, with Sunderland hoping to get past Sheffield Wednesday, before setting up a tie with either MK Dons or Wycombe Wanderers.