“Unless we…” – Sunderland fan pundit issues firm stance on January decision | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

On-loan Sunderland winger Jack Diamond is enjoying an impressive season with Lincoln City in League One – leaving the Black Cats with a decision to make as January approaches.

Reports in October revealed that the Championship club do have the option to recall the 22-year-old, who has scored five times and provided one assist in 13 appearances for the Imps this term.

But with the likes of Jack Clarke, Amad Diallo, Jewison Bennette, and Leon Dajaku all joining in the summer – either on loan or permanently – you’d question whether Tony Mowbray needs any more options in that area.

Diamond was recalled briefly last January before being sent back on loan to Harrogate Town but FLW’s Sunderland fan pundit Jack Austwicke has urged the North East club not to recall Diamond.

He explained: “Unless we get any serious injuries, I’d leave Jack Diamond where he is.

“Give him a chance to have a full loan spell rather than doing what we did last season, recalling him and sending him back, didn’t really do him any good.

“I’d rather give him a solid loan at a team and then assess at the end of the season and see if we want to bring him into the squad.”

Quiz: What shirt number are these 25 current Sunderland players?

1 of 25

Anthony Patterson

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Diamond is a product of the Black Cats academy system and remains under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2024, which means they may have a decision to make over his future this summer.

He proved his quality at League Two level last term and has made the step up to League One in 2022/23 but Mowbray will have to gauge whether he’s ready to cut it in the Championship.