SUNDERLAND have held discussions with Manchester City over a possible loan deal for teenage defender Callum Doyle.

Doyle, who is due to turn 18 in October, is a left-footed centre-half who played with City’s Under-18s and Under-23s team last season.

The youngster helped City’s development team win the Premier League 2 title last season, and also played for City’s Under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy.

An England youth international, Doyle has been lined up for a two-year loan deal that would see him commit to spending the next two seasons at the Stadium of Light.

Manchester City have started to use two-year arrangements for some of their emerging young players as they feel it gives them a degree of security and stability that is beneficial to their development.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson is hoping to make further transfer breakthroughs in the next few days, having already completed the signing of Alex Pritchard, who was a free agent after his release from Huddersfield Town.