SUNDERLAND should confirm the signing of Everton youngster Joe Anderson today, with the defender having spent yesterday on Wearside tying up the loose ends of his move from Merseyside.

Anderson, a centre-half who can also play on the left of defence, has been skippering Everton's Under-21 side and is regarded as a bright long-term prospect.

His arrival on Wearside could well result in Bailey Wright leaving Sunderland, with the Australian keen to move on in an attempt to secure more regular first-team football.
Portsmouth, Hibernian and Aberdeen have all lodged an interest in Wright already this month.

With Ross Stewart seemingly set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Sunderland are also in the market for another forward today.

Joe Gelhardt signed from Leeds last week, but Stewart's Achilles issue once again leaves the Black Cats short in attack.

Might Ellis Simms be given the green light to return from Everton? Simms was recalled by the Toffees earlier in the month, but it's going to be a day of upheaval at Goodison Park as new Everton boss Sean Dyche attempts to refashion the squad he inherited from Frank Lampard.

Sunderland are pushing to re-sign Simms, and if Everton decide the forward would be better getting first-team opportunities away from Goodison, the Black Cats are the only club he can join as he has already played for two teams this season.

Sunderland's recruitment team have other attacking irons in the fire - but with Simms boasting extensive experience within the club's current first-team group, a return for the 22-year-old would be the Black Cats' ideal deadline-day scenario.