Sunderland AFC transfer round-up: Black Cats consider moves for promising youngsters

Our sister title the Sunderland Echo, report the Black Cats have taken Tyler Frost and Stanley Asomugha on trial from Championship pair Reading and West Bromwich Albion.

And, earlier this week, talk circulated which suggested Sunderland could raid Burnley for Will Harris with former Hull City winger Tyler Hamilton, with both also under consideration by Phil Parkinson.

Duo Nathan Harker and Justen Kranthove have recently featured for Elliot Dickman’s under-23 side on trial.

Indeed, the deal for Harker, a Newcastle United goalkeeper, fell flat due to Premier League 2 regulations.

Sunderland were keen to extend his stay, but the rules – which state a player contracted to another club can only play two trial games – meant his time on Wearside could not be extended.

Dickman said: “Nathan came to us and we were pleased with how he did We can’t do anything now, but we’ll look at it again at the end of the season.

“He’s back at Newcastle now and if he plays games for them, fantastic.”

Of Frost and Asomugha, Dickman said: “They have been told by their parent clubs that they don't have a future there so they are trying to find something else, and the confidence might not be that high.

"Stan and Tyler Frost both played against West Ham and against Newcastle and they were both smashing,” the under-23 coach concluded.