SUNDERLAND will make a new push to re-sign Nathan Broadhead after the striker was not involved in the opening game of Everton’s US tour against Arsenal.

Broadhead is part of the Toffees squad that has travelled to the United States as part of their pre-season preparations for the new Premier League season.

However, while Frank Lampard used 22 different players as Everton lost 2-0 to Arsenal in Baltimore at the weekend, Broadhead did not figure in the game.

There is no indication that the Welsh striker is suffering from illness or injury, so the fact that Lampard decided not to use him while giving a run-out to the likes of Lewis Warrington, Stanley Mills and Reece Welch suggests Broadhead is well down the Everton boss’ pecking order.

Sunderland head coach Alex Neil has made no secret of his desire to re-sign the 24-year-old after his successful loan spell on Wearside last season.

Broadhead scored ten goals in 20 League One appearances last term, with his performances in the second half of the campaign in particular proving a major factor in the Black Cats’ successful push for the play-offs, which eventually saw them promoted thanks to a Wembley win over Wycombe.

Sunderland officials spelled out their keenness to re-sign the striker when they spoke to the hierarchy at Everton earlier this summer, but at the time, with his own attacking unit in a state of flux, Lampard was keen to run the rule over Broadhead in pre-season.

Having proved himself in League One, the Welsh forward also requested to remain with Everton during pre-season in an attempt to force himself into the club’s first-team squad for next season.

As things stand, the prospects of him securing regular football at Goodison Park next term appear slight, so Sunderland’s recruitment team are ready to make another push in an attempt to add him to the ranks, with the opening weekend of the Championship campaign now less than a fortnight away.

The Northern Echo:

With Broadhead’s current Everton contract due to expire next summer, the Black Cats are willing to consider either a permanent transfer or a loan deal, with Neil having acknowledged the need to reinforce his attacking ranks at the weekend.

“I think we always want a replacement, so if Ross (Stewart) is not available, we’ve got somebody there who can do a job,” said the Sunderland head coach. “Equally, we need competition to push him because everybody is not going to play well all the time, and we need to have other guys who can step in and do a job.

“We also need variety. We want a different type, who maybe offers something slightly different to what Ross can bring. But, listen, that’s the same in every position, so it’s not solely for centre-forward, that’s across the board.”

If Broadhead does decide to leave Everton, a number of other Championship clubs are likely to join the battle for his services.

However, the striker is known to have enjoyed his time on Wearside last season, and Sunderland will hope that experience plays a major role if he decides to move on again this summer.