Sunderland are close to signing Burnley defender Jimmy Dunne on loan for the remainder of the season, per reports in the Sunderland Echo.
What’s the word?
The Sunderland Echo are reporting that Jack Ross is closing in on taking the Burnley defender on loan for the remainder of the season, and it tells you exactly how the Scot feels about central defensive back-up Alim Ozturk, who has only fleetingly featured for the Black Cats so far this term.
Dunne spent the first half of the campaign on loan north of the border with Hearts, where he featured 14 times in all competitions, and chipped in with two key goals – including the winning strike against St Johnstone.
Dunne has not featured since November 24 after suffering an ankle injury, but has recovered from the blow after returning to Turf Moor when recalled by his parent club.
Burnley are now claimed to be open to the young defender linking up with Ross at Sunderland, who is quoted by the Sunderland Echo as stating a new signing is close.
“I would like to do it as early as possible, but my understanding is that it is all on track,” said Ross.
“I had a conversation about it this morning, and everything I’ve been told is that it will still happen this week.”
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What will he add?
Dunne may not have a great deal of senior action in his record book, but he cut a key figure during a loan spell in League Two with Accrington Stanley last year as they won promotion.
For Stanley he featured in 20 games and averaged 2.5 points per game after making his Football League debut for them in January.
The former Manchester United youth star, who moved to Burnley’s academy in 2016, is also a tall and imposing defender that utilises his height to force his way towards the ball at the expense of the opposition.
Furthermore, Dunne’s impressive 2018 campaign at Accrington Stanley saw the 21-year-old earn a first cap for the Republic of Ireland Under 21s, and was later included in the provisional senior squad to face Northern Ireland, although was later omitted.
