Sunderland AFC transfer news: Bryan Oviedo opens up on failed move to West Brom plus Lee Cattermole and Will Grigg injury update

The Costa Rica defender travelled to the West Midlands to complete his move to the Hawthorns, before the deal collapsed at the the eleventh hour.

Speaking to media in Costa Rica, Oviedo said: “I was notified at 6pm, I travelled about 3 hours from my house, I did the medical tests and I signed, but in the end it was 11.05pm and I saw that something was strange.

“I asked my representative and he told me that they supposedly did not send the documents before 11pm.”

Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has denied reports the Black Cats were to blame for the deal falling through.

Speaking to the Roker Rapport podcast, Donald said: “We left it to Bryan and West Brom and the paperwork never arrived. Why that didn’t happen is down to West Brom and Bryan, not Sunderland.

“He’s been an excellent pro and is an excellent pro, he gives us 100 per cent commitment.”

Understandably, Oviedo didn't feature in the matchday squad as Sunderland overcame AFC Wimbledon 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

The defender could return when Sunderland travel to Oxford next weekend but midfielder Lee Cattermole remains a doubt.

Cattermole missed the Wimbledon win after picking up an ankle injury during training last week.

And Sunderland boss Jack Ross believes the clash with Oxford will come too soon for the midfielder.

“Lee picked up an ankle injury on Thursday,” said Ross. “He’s likely to be out for a week or two.”

Ross also hopes new signing Will Grigg will return to full training in the middle of this week after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Wigan last month.