SUNDERLAND are still locked in talks with Ross Stewart over a possible contract extension with the club.

The 26-year-old has made a strong start to the Championship season with five goals in seven league appearances so far helping the Black Cats up to their current eighth place standing.

Last season, his 26 goal haul in League One helped the club to promotion back to the Championship and he finished as joint top goalscorer in the third tier of English football.

Conversations have been ongoing for a number of months but Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman admits he is pleased with how they are going.

He said: “Ross is someone we have been having a conversation with since Spring regarding his contractual status. They are ongoing positive conversations.

“Ross has got this year with us, we’ve got an option on his contract so he has still got 22 months left with us so I don’t think we are in a situation where we need to be panicking about it.

“I appreciate when you have got the profile of a player like Ross. Ross is a top guy, he has come to Sunderland. He has adapted and delivered which is always what you want from players."

Stewart is technically out of contract next season but the club are able to buy themselves time with the use of the option on his current deal.

With the threat of clubs potentially trying to broker a deal over the remainder of his deal, the club are keen to tie him down on Wearside as he continues to be a key part in Sunderland's side.

Speakman continued: "What we want to do is obviously try to get him tied down for longer as you want to do with any of those players."

“We’ve got to try and get to a solution on that at some point. We want it to be right for Ross, we want it to be right for the football club. I’m sure there is going to be a sensible conclusion at some point.

"Listen, you've got one of the top goal scorers in the league last season, up there this season, of course you don't those conversations to run forever.

"We've had those conversations, but neither side have been dialling up the pressure because there's been the transfer window and a lot of things going on.

“If his contract was a year shorter then that would be bubbling to the top of the list, naturally. I've had loads of conversations with Ross, he's a top lad, he wants to play in a competitive team and he wants to be the best version of himself.

“I think now that we've got the window out of the way I think we can have a more detailed conversation about getting that over the line.”