Football
Exclusive: Stoke Eye Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson Amid Goalkeeping Crisis
Injury-hit Stoke City eye Sunderland's Anthony Patterson as their solution to their goalkeeping crisis. With interest from other Championship clubs, Mark Robins seeks an experienced replacement for injured Gavin Bazunu to maintain their push for a playoff spot. Patterson's short-term deal would be ideal for both parties.
Sunderland v Rayo Vallecano - Pre-Season Friendly by Stu Forster | Getty Images
Injury-ravaged Stoke City are considering turning to Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson to solve their goalkeeping crisis, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The former England Under 21 international was a key member of the Black Cats’ promotion winning Championship team last season as the club made a welcome return to the Premier League.
Indeed, Patterson was man of the match as Sunderland upset favourites Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley to reach the promised land.
But while the Wearsiders’ have flourished in the top-flight, their previous number one has been understudy to flying Dutchman, Robin Roefs.
His solitary appearance this season was against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup back in August.
ALERTED
Patterson’s reputation and lack of activity has alerted a number of Championship clubs.
West Brom, Millwall and QPR have trained their sights on the 25-year-old.
But having lost the “best goalie in the league” to a six-week thigh injury, Stoke gaffer Mark Robins is now looking to replace Gavin Bazunu.
The Republic of Ireland international only recently joined the Potters. And he marked his debut on loan from Southampton with a clean sheet in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against QPR.
However, a freak training accident means Bazunu might not return to action until the start of April.
Bazunu was signed to replace last season’s player of the season, Viktor Johansson, who suffered a season-ending injury, and Patterson is now being eyed as a short-term loan option to cover both absences.
And with eighth placed Stoke pushing for a play-off berth, Robins wants an experienced first choice replacement.
HIGHLY-RATED
City recently allowed Jack Bonham to join Bolton on an 18-month deal, reuniting with ex Stoke manager, Steven Schumacher.
Highly rated youngster Tommy Simkin kept three successive clean sheets prior to Bazunu’s arrival.
But his handling was less than perfect in Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough as Stoke lost the tag of the second tier’s meanest defence to Ipswich Town.
Patterson would be a perfect fit though any deal would be short term rather than a more permanent switch for the boyhood Sunderland supporter.
In other news, Standard Liege are readying an improved €2m bid for Stoke’s left-back Eric Bocat after their initial loan offer was rejected, but the Potters remain reluctant to sell the injured defender amid their Premier League push.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.