Sam Allardyce's loan window worry as he looks to ship kids out

There are 16 days remaining of the transfer window, with Sunderland eager to offload their under-used players and lessen the demands on the club’s wage bill.

But several of Sunderland’s promising youngsters could also be heading out of the Stadium of Light, when the emergency loan window opens a week after deadline day.

Those in the Under-21 squad are in demand, with Wigan keeping tabs on left-back Tommy Robson, a League One promotion contender interested in centre-half Tom Beadling and also a Conference side looking at teenage midfielder Ethan Robson.

Allardyce believes it is more beneficial for the club’s young hopefuls to be out on loan, rather than being limited to the U21 side - citing the example of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, now in the first-team picture after six spells away from Sunderland in his fledging career.

The Sunderland boss tsaid: “At the moment, I think our most promising U21s should continue to train with us on a regular basis.

“And then at the end of this window, when the emergency loan window opens up again, we may look at sending them out.

“Jordan Pickford is a great example of how successful a player becomes when they get loaned out as quick as they can.

“Look at what he has done after all the clubs he has been out on loan.”

Allardyce’s concern over the emergency loan system is that it won’t be around for much longer.

This is due to be the last season that Football League clubs are allowed to sign players on short-term loan deals out of the transfer windows, with FIFA pushing to outlaw the system.

After this year, the only loans allowed will be those signed and sealed inside the two annual windows.

Allardyce believes few Football League clubs will be prepared to take a chance on a youngster at a Premier League club for a half or full season, and that will have a detrimental effect on the development of homegrown talent.

“Next year we’re losing the emergency loan system and that’s a massive blow for youth development in this country,” he said.

“Under-21s don’t develop footballers anymore, so what are we going to do?

“From next year, the only loan deals we’ll have are six months or full season.

“Clubs in the lower divisions don’t want to take that financial burden on.

“They want to start with a month and then extend it to three months if they come off, or if not, send him back.

“If they do well, then they get another loan or come back. Harry Kane is the perfect example of what the loan system can do.”