SUNDERLAND have held talks with Manchester City and Troyes over a possible loan deal for attacking-midfielder Patrick Roberts.

Roberts moved to France to join Troyes in the summer, but his time with the Ligue 1 club has not gone to plan.

The 24-year-old has made just one substitute appearance in the whole of the first half of the season, and is keen to return to England in an attempt to kickstart his career.

Having joined Manchester City from Fulham in 2015 for around £12m, Roberts has spent the vast majority of his career on loan deals away from the Etihad Stadium.

He impressed during three separate loan spells with Celtic, winning three Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish Cup winners’ medals, and has subsequently spent time at Girona and Norwich City.

He spent the second half of the 2019-20 season and the first half of last term on loan at Middlesbrough, initially performing creditably as Boro scrapped their way to survival under Neil Warnock but then struggling to hold down a first-team place.

His loan at the Riverside was cut short in January, and he spent the second half of last season at Derby County, contributing to the Rams’ successful survival campaign under Wayne Rooney.

A junior England international at every representative level up to Under-20s, Roberts can play as a forward, a wide attacker or a number ten, and his signing would help plug the gap created by the long-term hamstring injury that will keep Nathan Broadhead on the sidelines for a number of weeks. Roberts would also help provide some cover and competition for Aiden McGeady in the second half of the season.

A deal has not yet been agreed, but Manchester City are keen to get Roberts back in England and are know to have been impressed with the way in which Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson has handled Callum Doyle’s loan spell at the Stadium of Light.

There were two departures from the Black Cats squad yesterday with Anthony Patterson rejoining Notts County on loan for the remainder of the season and fellow youngster Sam Wilding joining non-league side Leamington until February.

Patterson enjoyed a successful spell at Notts County in the autumn, only to be recalled when Lee Burge suffered an injury.

However, with Burge now back fit, the 21-year-old goalkeeper will continue his development in the National League at Meadow Lane.

“Anthony was doing extremely well at Meadow Lane before injuries dictated that he needed to be recalled, but we retained an open dialogue with Notts County and they have been fully supportive throughout this process,” said Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

“Although there were alternative moves on the table, we believe this remains the best fit to ensure Anthony’s development continues.

"Likewise, we were conscious about the need for Sam to gain more minutes and valuable experience in a competitive senior environment, so this is an excellent opportunity for him to progress.

"We retain a recall option on both players to ensure we are fully protected in continually uncertain times.”