Reports have emerged stating that Barnsley will test Sunderland’s resolve over the signature of in-form striker Andrew Nelson, per the Sunderland Echo.

What’s the word?

The Sunderland Echo have reported that Barnsley are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, and have been impressed with his recent displays while on a short-term loan deal with National League North side Darlington – one that ends this week.

In five games for the Quakers, the Black Cats academy product found the net six times, all coming in the form of braces against Ashton United, York City and Chorley.

Nelson has, however, never featured for Sunderland’s first-team, with his only taste of senior professional action coming during a loan spell with Hartlepool in the 2016/17 League Two season, when he featured four times, and another loan last season, this time to Scottish Championship outfit Falkirk, where he made 15 outings.

The youngster, valued by Transfermarkt at £68,000, is most adept at playing as a centre-forward, but can be utilised on the right and left-wings to varying levels.

The Sunderland Echo’s report, though, notes that it is not clear whether Sunderland would be open to strengthening a promotion rival in the January window.

Cannot turn down more goals

Under Stendel, the Tykes have one of the best attacks in League One to match a league-best defence, but more goals cannot be turned down.

The Reds’ frontline currently relies on Kieffer Moore to find the net, with the 26-year-old scoring 11 times in 22 matches so far this season – more than double that of second-placed Mamadou Thiam now that Brad Potts has left for Preston North End.

Another pair of goalscoring legs could well come in handy for the promotion run-in, with Luton’s strong defence proving a tough nut to break through during the New Year’s Day draw.

Still to come for Stendel’s side are the current fourth and fifth-strongest defences, too, in the form of automatic promotion chasing Portsmouth and Sunderland, who drew and beat Barnsley respectively in the reverse fixtures.

Should Stendel take a punt on Nelson? Let us know in the poll below…