South Shields monitor Jordan Hunter's Sunderland situation as defender waits to hear on contract offer

South Shields are keeping tabs on Jordan Hunter’s Sunderland situation after the defender’s hugely successful loan spell at Mariners Park.
Jordan Hunter enjoyed his loan spell at South Shields from Sunderland.Jordan Hunter enjoyed his loan spell at South Shields from Sunderland.
Jordan Hunter enjoyed his loan spell at South Shields from Sunderland.

Hunter spent almost the full season at Northern Premier League side Shields, and became a mainstay of their defence as they raced to a 12-point lead at the top of the table before the league was abruptly ended.

The Mariners today released their retained list for next season, with Hunter and fellow Sunderland loanee Bali Mumba having returned to the Stadium of Light.

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Hunter is out of contract this summer, and the Gazette understands that he has yet to be contacted by Sunderland as to their plans for him.

Jordan Hunter in action for South Shields.Jordan Hunter in action for South Shields.
Jordan Hunter in action for South Shields.
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The 20-year-old, who joined from Liverpool in 2018, is highly rated by Shields management duo Lee Picton and Graham Fenton, who would be keen to snap the right-back up again after he impressed at Mariners Park, playing 39 times and scoring once.

Hunter is hopeful of staying at Sunderland, however, but is still waiting to hear if he will be offered a one-year contract extension and a place in their Under-23s set-up.

“In an ideal world I would stay at Sunderland, but of course I would be open to staying at South Shields,” he told the Gazette back in January. “I am waiting to speak to Sunderland, and we will just have to wait and see.”

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A statement from Shields as they released their retained list thanked Hunter, Mumba and a third loan player, Blackpool goalkeeper Myles Boney, for their contribution last season.

It said: “Myles Boney, Jordan Hunter and Bali Mumba were all on loan with South Shields when the coronavirus pandemic forced an early end to the 2019-20 season. Those loan deals have now expired and the club is not currently in a position to discuss the future of any of those players, all of whom impressed greatly during their time here. We will communicate further in due course but take this opportunity to thank all three for their tremendous professionalism and contribution in 2019-20.”

Shields, meanwhile, have released academy graduates Kieran Charlton, George Lindo and Callum Guy, along with Millenic Alli and Sefton Gonzales.

Ross Coombe, Craig Baxter, Gary Brown, Jon Shaw, Robert Briggs, Luke Daly, Josh Gillies, Will Jenkins, Arron Thompson, Phil Turnbull, Wouter Verstraaten and Jason Gilchrist either signed new deals or the club took the option to extend their stay at the club.

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They join Blair Adams, Dillon Morse, Nathan Lowe, Callum Ross, Sam Hodgson and Darius Osei who remain under contract, while the club is still in talks with Lee Mason.

The capture of Verstraaten is a particular bonus to Shields after the Dutchman was offered a contract by Sunderland after a period on trial at the League One club earlier this year.

The 23-year-old, who can operate in either defence or midfield, has previously played for the likes of PSV Eindhoven and Portland Timbers U23s.

He joined Shields in January after a brief spell at Consett, having moved to England to study for a Masters degree at Durham University.