SUNDERLAND'S squad depth has left forward Aiden O'Brien out in the cold as he faces the prospect of minimal game time under Lee Johnson, as the manager looks to avoid any potential relationship breakdown.

O'Brien has four EFL Cup goals to his name this season, including a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Championship side Blackpool, but seems to be surplus to requirements with the Black Cats.

O'Brien was a regular under Johnson last season but was told by the Sunderland management that he was free secure a loan move away from the club in search of regular game time. According to reports, the club accepted a loan offer from fellow League One side Doncaster Rovers on deadline day but the move fell short in the remaining hours of the window.

The 27-year-old has not started a single game in League One and wasn't in the matchday squad for the club's 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley at the weekend. 23-year-old striker Nathan Broadhead, who is currently with the squad on loan from Everton until the end of the season, seems to be the preferred choice as a back-up striker to the in-form Ross Stewart, who has four league goals to his name this season.

An influx of new signings over the summer has given Johnson plenty of options to choose from in his squad but has done no favours for O'Brien with the forward seemingly having to wait in the wings until the transfer window opens back up in January to find a club that will give him game time. There is every chance the former Millwall man could continue to be involved in EFLCup ties with their third round game against Wigan Athletic coming up in a weeks time, but his prospects of featuring regularly in league games look bleak, especially if Sunderland have a clean bill of health in the squad.

Speaking directly on the saga surrounding O'Brien, Johnson said: “It’s probably the hardest part of the job.

“You don’t want to be the big bad wolf. You want the relationship with the players and it’s human nature to want to play.

“You try and give clarity. You try and be as honest and open from the start which is obviously why Aiden (O’Brien) was effectively offered a loan but at the same time I’m delighted he’s stayed in.

“So it was always going to be a short term thing for one sense for Aiden because I need to know what I’ve got. I need to give players the opportunity to see what we’ve got and therefore in like ten or twelve games time, we’ll be able to make decisions about what is truly that first eleven."

The Black Cats are purring at the moment with seven wins from eight in all competitions as the club currently sit top of the League One table. Next up is a trip to Fleetwood Town this weekend as they look to continue their strong start

While Johnson eluded that it may take ten or twelve games for him to discover his best eleven, the management staff will be reluctant to tinker too much with a side who are currently playing terrific football and matching the performances with results on the pitch.

But the failure for O'Brien to secure a loan move away from the club may well cause some animosity. As Johnson says, he'll be looking to avoid a breakdown in relationship with an honest and open dialogue between player and club.