This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Reading manager Jose Gomes has decided that striker Marc McNulty is not in his immediate plans, allowing the 26-year-old to join League Sunderland on a season-long loan, it has been confirmed on the Black Cats' club website.

The Scotland international has 110 goals in 303 club matches, including one in 15 for the Royals last season before going out on loan to Scottish side Hibernian where he scored eight goals in 17 games.

So will McNulty prove a good signing for Sunderland?

We discuss.........

Ned Holmes

“I think this is a really smart bit of business.

“Sunderland have not had a consistent goalscorer since Josh Maja left in January and, unfortunately, the jury is still out on whether Will Grigg will come good for them.

“Grigg and Charlie Wyke both managed just six goals last season and the Black Cats will need a significantly better contribution from their striker if they are to get promoted this season.

“McNulty was outstanding for Coventry two seasons ago, scoring 28 goals in League Two, and he is joining on the back of rediscovering some of that form at Hibs at the end of the season–so he should be high in confidence.

“It is a low-risk move bringing him in on loan and one that could be a masterstroke if he starts scoring and the competition for places kick starts Grigg’s goalscoring form as well.”

Kealan Hughes

"This is a good move by Sunderland but despite his strong goal-scoring record it is still a bit of a risk to bring him in.

"McNulty has performed well recently at Coventry and Hibernian but in between those spells he struggled to find any form for Reading in the Championship, which is where Sunderland want to be this time next year.

"His most prolific spell came in League Two as well, and his League One record is perhaps not good enough for what Sunderland need, having scored only 11 goals in 55 games in the competition, although many of those appearances came when he was quite young.

"Sunderland have Will Grigg as their main goalscorer and McNulty wouldn't be an upgrade on him, and he isn't the type of striker to complement him either so it may not be a strike partnership which works well together."

Louie Chandler

"This could really go either way.

"McNulty looked absolutely devoid of confidence at Reading after failing to make the step up to the Championship, so a lot will come down to how he carries himself at the Stadium of Light.

"If he arrives with the bit between his teeth, determined to prove himself, then there's no reason it cannot be a successful signing.

"But given his poor recent record and Sunderland's need for firepower I think it is a massive risk as well."