THE subject of constant speculation over his Sunderland future, Josh Maja is not affected by his contract situation, remaining focused on his game.

The Black Cats top scorer netted his 16th goal of the season in Saturday’s draw at Scunthorpe.

Linked with a move to Celtic yesterday, with the Black Cats hoping to get him back on loan for the rest of the season if a move to the SPL goes ahead, tonight he will line up in the quarter-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy when Manchester City’s Under-21s visit the Stadium of Light.

Maja is out of contract in the summer and his agent has said he won’t be signing a new deal, with Ross not knowing if he will have the striker available for the remainder of the season.

The Northern Echo:

Cashing in during the transfer window is a real possibility and Ross said: “Josh is doing well, he’s been the subject of so much attention for a long time now and I would say he, like others, didn’t play particularly well on Saturday, but he made a contribution in scoring again and that’s why I would love to keep him here and why he’s in demand. He remains very much part of my plans.

“And as long as he continues to do that I’m sure he will be looked upon favourably.

“I’ve said often enough he has the right temperament, so I’ve not seen signs of him being affected by the situation.

“I can judge him that way and also by his performance. A lot of players were below their normal standards at the weekend.

“I can’t point to that speculation affecting him , maybe if it was over a period of time, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.’’

Ross wants to strengthen his attacking options and a move for Wigan’s Will Grigg is up in the air after the striker injured an ankle at the weekend.

“I think I’ve been very clear in what we need – another in the attacking area so a striker. I would still like to add one, maybe two to add some depth in other areas too,’’ said Ross.

“Naturally we don’t want to lose anyone and while the squad have had some criticism of late they have put themselves in a good position.

“Losing players also gives you the conundrum of replacing players as well.’’

Maja’s first competitive action for the club came in the competition two years ago when then Premier League Sunderland were playing an under-23 side against Rochdale, Hartlepool and Notts County.

As a League One side, the competition is now of a different beast, with the Black Cats two wins from a Wembley final.

City boss Pep Guardiola is unhappy at the timing of the game. He wanted to field more of his Academy players in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Burton tomorrow night on the back of a 9-0 first-leg stroll.

Guardiola will now scatter his youth side over the two matches, resting the majority of of his senior players at Burton.

The date of the game was set by the EFL, much to City’s chagrin, after the clubs failed to agree a date.

“After beating Newcastle in the previous round I knew we had a game this midweek, be it Tuesday or Wednesday so we worked on that premise,’’ said Ross.

“There was a lot of debate over the fixture as my thoughts were always on the game and not when it’s scheduled for.’’

The last time the Black Cats played in this competition, they were beaten at Roker Park at the same stage by Hartlepool United in February 1988.

Denis Smith’s side won the Division Three title with 93 points that season and promotion remains the aim for Ross.

A final at Wembley, however, is an attractive prize.

Ross said: “There’s a willingness to do well in the competition and we have taken it serious from the start. We have struck a balance in terms of where the game falls and giving players game time.

“We have treated it properly. My message has been consistent with players and how we view the competition. Now they know we are close and the final is at Wembley then it should boost their focus too.

“We have to play a lot of games to get far in the competition and now we are beyond halfway having played five games, so we naturally want to win the next two and get to the final.

“It’s a tough draw, we could have had a tough away tie. The Under-21 teams are a difficult challenge for first teams with everything that goes around it, but as a club they can attract the best of the best in that age group.

“They have talented young players, but I feel I have talent in my squad and guys who have proved they can handle professional football week in, week out and sustain a career in the game.

“We have prepared in the same way and it gives us the chance to win matches as well.’’

Preparation for under-21 opponents may not be of the same level Ross and his staff can do for regular league games, but the Sunderland boss is well aware of what City’s academy is all about.

“I would expect them to play the same way as the first-team,’’ said. “I spent time over the weekend watching them play with footage provided by our analysists and I see them playing in exactly the same way.

“I think if you look at results, some have had a lot of goals – both scoring and conceding as well.

“They do play in a very similar manner shape-wise and in possession as well. They are good at it as you can imagine and it’s up to us to exploit the areas we feel we can get at.’’