An update has emerged on Sunderland and their efforts to add to their roster before the end of the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to the Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats are exploring the possibility of bringing centre-forward Ellis Simms back to the Stadium of Light on deadline day.

The report claims that Kristjaan Speakman and Tony Mowbray are aiming to wrap up a deal to sign at least one new striker to bolster the club's options at the top end of the pitch but a move for Simms now hinges on Everton making a decision on his future in the coming hours.

This comes after it was reported that Scotland international Ross Stewart is set to be out of action until the end of the campaign after suffering an Achilles injury against Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend.

What a finish!

Whilst the injury to the club's top goalscorer is far from ideal, Mowbray could end the club's window with a bang by working with Speakman to convince the Toffees to part ways with Simms before the deadline.

Sunderland have already brought in Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Lihadji, Pierre Ekwah, and Joe Anderson to bolster their options across the board and the Everton striker could complete the set as he has already proven himself for the Black Cats.

The 22-year-old forward spent the first half of the campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light and caught the eye with a string of impressive performances through the middle of the pitch.

In 14 Championship starts for Sunderland, Simms, who was dubbed an "absolute nuisance" by journalist Phil Smith, produced an excellent seven goals, two assists, and created five 'big chances' for his teammates - averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.03.

Only Stewart, Aji Alese, and Alex Pritchard have averaged Sofascore ratings higher than the Toffees striker within the Black Cats squad in the second tier this term and this suggests that the forward would return as one of the team's top performers.

Therefore, Mowbray could end the club's window with a bang by signing Simms as the gem is a proven, clinical, goalscorer in the Championship and would be able to hit the ground running as he has a recent track record of delivering on Wearside - making him a dream replacement for Stewart.