SUNDERLAND manager Lee Johnson has given an update on Will Grigg and says he continues to train hard with the team. 

Grigg has made clear of his desire to be back in the Midlands with his family after a largely unsuccessful two and a half years with the Black Cats. 

He spent the second half of last season on loan with MK Dons where he scored eight goals in 20 appearances. 

Grigg is currently behind Ross Stewart and Aiden O'Brien in the pecking order for central strikers while the club have moved to bring in Nathan Broadhead on loan from Everton for the season. 

However, while Johnson believes there are clubs out there who are monitoring his situation, the Black Cats boss has been happy with the way his striker has conducted himself in training, which included spending time training with the youth squad.

Johnson said: "I think there’s a bit of interest in Will. It’s not something I’ve been involved in on a daily basis, obviously that will go through Kristjaan Speakman as a general rule.

"Will’s been fine. He’s been training hard, he’s been doing his extras, he’s came in with the Under 23’s when he wasn’t in the squad so it just goes to show that he’s got that desire to stay fit.

"We know what he can do in terms of his finishing and we saw that today with more training and after training as well in the little extras he done.

"At the moment, we know the situation. We’ve had very open and honest dialogue internally and I think a lot of that has creeped out into the media in various outlets. I’ve been honest as possible and the same cards are on the table the last time we discussed it."