SUNDERLAND have made a renewed late push for Joe Gelhardt, with Leeds United committed to allowing the striker to leave on loan but still weighing up the youngster's options.

Gelhardt appeared destined to return to Wigan at the end of last week but the deal wasn't finalised and the striker remained involved at Elland Road, named as a substitute for Sunday's 0-0 draw with Brentford.

A move to the Latics - where Gelhardt burst through as an academy star before leaving for Leeds - remains a possibility, but Wigan's Championship rivals have been given fresh hope and the Premier League club are giving a Sunderland switch for the 20-year-old serious consideration.

Tony Mowbray's reputation in the game when it comes to developing youngsters - further enhanced by the progression of Manchester United's Amad Diallo this season - has been discussed by Leeds recruitment chiefs.

It's also worth noting that Gelhardt's best mate at Leeds is Sam Greenwood, a Sunderland fan and former Black Cats youngster, who still lives in the area.

Sunderland can also offer Gelhardt an exciting promotion push in the second half of the season, with Mowbray's side moving to within a point of the top six thanks to their win over Middlesbrough.

The Championship's bottom club Wigan, desperate for a boost in their scrap for survival, are said to be offering a significant financial package to get the deal done, while Blackburn are still monitoring the situation and are keen on capturing Gelhardt, though he's not their first choice target.

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While the striker's destination is not yet clear, Leeds United's chief executive Angus Kinnear all but confirmed the club will sanction a loan move for Gelhardt before next Tuesday's deadline.

The club-record signing of Georginio Rutter pushed Gelhardt down the pecking order, and although Leeds still have high hopes for the Liverpudlian in the future, they'd rather he spent the second half of the season playing regular football than sitting on the bench at Elland Road or featuring for the Under-21.

Kinnear wrote in his weekend programme notes: “Rutter's arrival will mean that we will be looking to make some outbound loans before the end of the transfer window. We believe that being more active in loaning out our emerging talent will be important in ultimately accelerating their ability to contribute to our first team."

“Harry Kane had four different loan spells before he became England's best striker and Championship experience is a significant step up from competing in Premier League 2."

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After the addition of Pierre Ekwah earlier this week, Sunderland's focus shifted to bolstering the forward line, with the Black Cats in the market for much-needed cover and competition for Ross Stewart.

Ideally, Mowbray wants a Premier League loanee who's ready to hit the ground running in the Championship, while also pushing for another striker on a permanent deal, most likely a youngster who will be allowed to focus on settling in this season, ready to make an impact next term.

Ellis Simms remains in Sunderland's thinking but the sacking of Frank Lampard this week has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the Everton striker's immediate future.