This is what Phil Parkinson said about Sunderland's interest in a Premier League youngster

Sunderland have been credited with an interest in the young midfielder, who can also play at full-back.

There is a lot of interest in the 20-year-old, with the likes of Hull City and Swindon Town in League One monitoring the situation.

Championship side Huddersfield Town also have an interest. New Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan managed Gotts during his time as U23s boss at Elland Road.

Parkinson confirmed Gotts was a player who had been on Sunderland’s radar, but suggested that his priorities are elsewhere.

The Black Cats boss wants cover and competition for Denver Hume at left wing-back, while Morgan Feeney is out for twelve weeks with a hamstring problem, forcing Parkinson to consider reinforcing that area.

"In that area we've got a lot of players,” Parkinson said.

“We've also got some youngsters of our own in that position.

“There is an area or two that we'd like to be stronger and we'll do our very best.”

Parkinson was pleased that his much-changed side were able to all but secure their place in the next round of the EFL Trophy.

Sunderland fought back from an early penalty to take a 4-1 lead, but were pegged back by two Carlisle United goals.

Jack Diamond scored a fine late goal to secure the win and while pleased with his team’s attacking play, Parkinson was frustrated with the way his side had switched off in the second half.

“I think there were important lessons for us to learn, and we can take them with us into the games coming up,” Parkinson said.

"At 4-1 up, it should have been game over, but we got a bit slack with and without the ball.

“It just shows that in football, you can never switch off and think that the job is done. We’ve got to learn that valuable lesson. They’re a decent side, and they came back in it.

"They pressed us, and we conceded a poor goal from a set-play, then it was game on. It was tremendous to get the fifth goal to seal it in the end. It was a night when there was some very good stuff from us, I was pleased to get the goals and some of the attacking play was excellent, but it was also a big lesson for us to learn as a team, and for the young players in particular coming into the side. You’ve got to play with nous and game intelligence whatever the scoreline.

"At 4-1, I just felt we switched off a bit.

"Against Bristol Rovers, when we conceded early, we became a bit frantic for 20 or 25 minutes. We’ve learned from that, and we kept playing, switching the play and moving the ball quickly.

"We got our rewards in the end, so I was really pleased with that initial reaction. My only gripe is that period from 4-1 to 4-3, but it’s a good learning curve for us and it’s seven games unbeaten going into the international break, and it was great to get some goals tonight.”