CARL JENKINSON is not expected to decide on his future until he returns from international duty at the England Under-21 Championships in the Czech Republic.

Sunderland have agreed a £1.5m loan fee with Arsenal for the 23-year-old full-back, and are hoping to make him their first signing of the summer.

However, having spent last season on loan at West Ham United, Jenkinson is reluctant to leave London and would prefer to keep his options open for as long as possible.

He is currently part of Gareth Southgate’s England Under-21 squad in Olomouc, and is expected to start his side’s opening group game against Portugal this evening.

He is aware of the mounting interest in his services, but does not want to commit to anything until he has had the opportunity to return to England and assess his options without the distraction of a major competition.

At this stage, West Ham, who are understood to be his preferred choice of destination, have not agreed a loan fee with Arsenal, and new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to finalise his plans in other areas of the field before turning his attention to the full-back berths.

Jenkinson could yet return to Upton Park for a second spell though, with Sunderland’s attempts to force through a snap move having so far failed to come to fruition.

Arsenal’s willingness to discuss a loan move means it is unlikely he will remain at the Emirates as he is determined to play regular first-team football following a successful season with West Ham.

Jenkinson is not the only right-back interesting Sunderland as Leeds United’s Sam Byram is also being seriously considered as a potential addition.

Whereas Jenkinson is an out-and-out full-back, Byram can also play in midfield, but Leeds boss Massimo Cellino is adamant he will not allow the 21-year-old to leave for a cut-price fee with Liverpool and Manchester City also having expressed an interest in the past.

Sunderland are expected to complete the signing of Sebastian Coates, who spent last season at the Stadium of Light on loan from Liverpool, once the Uruguayan centre-half has finished representing his country at the Copa America.

Yesterday saw the release of next season’s fixtures, with Sunderland starting the 2015-16 season with a trip to Leicester City on the weekend of August 8.

The Black Cats entertain Norwich City in their opening home game and finish the season with a trip to Watford.