Sunderland have been linked with Blackburn Rovers midfielder Bradley Dack recently and he could prove to be the next Stephane Sessegnon at the Stadium of Light.

According to The Sun, Tony Mowbray is keen to reunite with the 28-year-old in January, with a free transfer touted due to his lack of playing time at Ewood Park in recent seasons.

The former Gillingham man's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, so the Lancashire outfit could let him leave for nothing as they aim to get his wages off their books, as he looks to be surplus to requirements under new manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

While Dack has struggled immensely with injuries in recent seasons, his form in the 2018/19 Championship season, when he hit 15 goals and seven assists, suggests that he could be a quality addition at the Stadium of Light if they can get him back to his best.

Mowbray is certainly a big fan of the midfielder, as he was a star player under the Black Cats boss during his time at Ewood Park, before a cruciate ligament injury brought an end to his strong form, with the manager singing his praises in 2020.

He said: “I’d have to say that it’s been amazing to watch him and the professionalism he’s brought to this.

“He’s months ahead of where another cruciate knee ligament injury might potentially be."

Should Dack arrive at the Stadium of Light in January, his ability on the ball as an attacking midfielder could see him emulate former Sunderland favourite Stephane Sessegnon.

The Beninese maestro spent three seasons with Sunderland in the Premier League, contributing an impressive 18 goals and 20 assists in just 97 appearances for the Black Cats, before joining West Bromwich Albion.

Michael O'Neill summed up what Sessegnon offered in 2011, saying:

“He gives us that little spark. He is unpredictable, he’s always capable of doing something – taking on players, opening up gaps and creating.

“He is a crowd pleaser and he’s got an end-product as well."

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Mowbray has previously dubbed Dack as a "natural talent" who plays as if he is in a playground, and it is this ability that makes him so similar to Sessegnon.

If the 28-year-old can rediscover his best form under his former manager at the Stadium of Light then there seems no reason why he can't be a success and perhaps even be viewed by Mackems in the same light as Sessegnon in the future.