Sunderland AFC news: Tony Mowbray reveals Chelsea transfer expectation ahead of January window

Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray says he expects Mason Burstow to remain with the club until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old striker signed for the Wearsiders on a season-long loan from Premier League giants Chelsea during last summer's window.

The forward is yet to score for Sunderland having featured seven times for Mowbray in the Championship so far this campaign.

Sunderland loaned striker Ellis Simms from Everton last season but saw the forward recalled by The Toffees last January, which came as a blow to Mowbray.

Ahead of the game against Leicester City, Mowbray noted that though a January recall clause exists in Sunderland's deal with Chelsea for Burstow, he doesn't envisage it coming into play in the same way as it did with Simms last campaign.

"I'm expecting him to be here for the season," Mowbray said when asked about Burstow. "I'm sure there will be a recall in there - every loan these days seems to have a recall [clause].

"Chelsea seem to have turned the corner a little bit in terms of results so maybe there won't be such urgency to recall a young boy to do a man's job for them.

"I think that Mason just has to grow into it. He needs a goal - we've said that - but he works hard on all aspects of his game and his finishing, and I'm sure the goal is just around the corner somewhere.

"Hopefully, he is one of those strikers where he gets one and then a whole flurry of them comes pretty quickly. We have to persevere and keep going with him."

Sunderland's striking department has been boosted in recent days by the gradual return of summer signing Eliezer Mayenda from injury.

Mayenda started for Sunderland against Hibernian in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday at the Academy of Light, with further minutes planned against Tottenham's youth team in the Under-21 Premier League 2 competition on Friday evening.

"It's his first game today, and he was looking forward to it, Mowbray said of Mayenda. "As I've said before, he has been exciting in training.

"He needs to stay fit now, he needs to play some games, and hopefully he can play again on Friday against Spurs and then hopefully he might be in the mix for sitting on the bench.

"He is different to the players that we've got, he's left-footed, dynamic, can beat a man, he has speed and power, he looks exciting, but we need him to stay fit and give him a chance."

Sunderland are next in action against Leicester City in the Championship on Tuesday night at the King Power Stadium.

Mowbray has confirmed that Dan Ballard is a doubt for the game against The Foxes and provided updates on Aji Alese and Dennis Cirkin.

Midfielder Dan Neil is expected to return for Sunderland having missed the Black Cats' last game against Stoke City after he was shown a second yellow card against North East rivals Middlesbrough the week previous.