SUNDERLAND have held talks with Leeds United over a possible deal for left-back Niall Huggins.

With Denver Hume having rejected the Black Cats’ offer of a new contract, Lee Johnson has been searching for another left-back despite the recent acquisition of Dennis Cirkin from Tottenham.

Huggins, a York-born 20-year-old who is a Wales Under-21 international, would appear to fit the bill as he does not feature in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team plans for the new season.

The youngster, who is contracted to Elland Road until 2023, made his senior Leeds debut as a second-half substitute in a defeat to Arsenal in February, and was a regular for the Yorkshire club’s Under-23s team last season.

Sunderland are hoping to sign him, and are understood to have discussed both a season-long loan and a potential permanent transfer for a six-figure fee.

Blackburn Rovers are also understood to have lodged a loan offer, but the Leeds hierarchy may feel the time is right is to agree to Huggins’ permanent departure.

Further talks are planned over the next 24 hours, and there is a chance a deal could be agreed ahead of Sunderland’s weekend home game with AFC Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Johnson has confirmed that midfielder Corry Evans is set to be sidelined for around a fortnight with a hamstring injury.

“I think the tough one with Corry is that because we recruited him late, I think we were chasing his minutes,” said the Sunderland boss. “He was getting fit through games at like 80 per cent, and it’s just tweaked.

“It’s a low-grade hamstring, just on the side of the hamstring, so we think it’s a quick healer, but it’s probably going to be ten to 14 days.”

Sunderland’s Carabao Cup second-round game at Blackpool will take place on Tuesday, August 24 (7.45pm).