JESSE Marsch has held talks with Sunderland-linked striker Joe Gelhardt as Championship clubs queue up in a bid to sign the Leeds United striker on loan.

Sunderland are one of a number of Championship clubs to have been linked with the former Wigan Athletic frontman, with Blackburn having opened negotiations with Leeds earlier this week.

Leeds are set to make a decision on Gelhardt's short-term future after Wednesday night's FA Cup replay against Cardiff City, but the Whites are expected to sanction a loan move for the 20-year-old, with Georginio Rutter having arrived at Elland Road for a club record fee earlier this week.

Rutter's arrival bolsters the Leeds forward line and means there's even more competition for Gelhardt, who has been a bit-part player this season.

Quizzed on Gelhardt's future ahead of the Cardiff replay, Marsch said: "I think there's been some internal discussions and we'll make some decisions in the next coming weeks. In general, his attitude has been great.

"We've had some good conversations and I think everyone is open to different possibilities. You're right, we do have a lot of really good attacking options.

"Even Luis [Sinisterra] after training yesterday, when we talked, I talked to him about how he was feeling, he mentioned to me 'Wow, we have some really good players now.'

"Luis is certainly one of them. He looked fantastic and fit. Joffy has looked great, his attitude has been fantastic and he'll be ready for tomorrow."

Tony Mowbray is hopeful of signing two strikers this month - one on loan and one permanent. The loan is likely to be from the Premier League and the same mould as Ellis Simms, who spent the first half of the season on Wearside before being recalled by Everton.

Gelhardt fits the bill and has Championship experience, but his Premier League wage means Championship clubs would need Leeds to agree on a financial compromise.

The Simms situation continues to be monitored by Sunderland. If Everton manage to sign a striker and agree to allow Simms back out on loan, he can only join the Black Cats due to the two-club rule. Mowbray has said Sunderland would be open to a Simms return, with the striker having impressed before his recall.

READ MORE:

Meanwhile, Sunderland have been linked with a loan move for West Ham midfielder Pierre Ekwah.

The 21-year-old is highly rated at West Ham but is yet to make his senior debut.

While strengthening up-front is the priority for Sunderland this month, Mowbray does to want to add a midfielder.

He said last week: "I would say that we're still looking for a six, who can become an eight.

"When you play against a team who has two sitting midfielders, we can push one of ours on and at the moment we do that with Dan Neil. We sit Corry (Evans) and Dan and if they play two sitters, Dan can push on.

"So we want that flexibility of one who can play deeper but also a bit higher if required. In an ideal world, we'd find that, a versatile player who can run and tackle, and can pass."

Mowbray allowed midfielder Jay Matete to join League One leaders Plymouth on loan earlier this month, in the hope the 21-year-old can play regular football in the second half of the season and return ready to compete for a starting spot at the Stadium of Light next term. Matete has quickly forced his way into Steven Schumacher's side, having already made three appearance, the last two of which have been starts.