Sunderland were unable to complete all of the transfers they wanted to make on deadline day, but there has been a new behind-the-scenes update that'll give the club a big boost following the end of the summer transfer window.

What's the latest?

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman joined new manager Tony Mowbray in his pre-match press conference on Friday to deliver some good news about Ross Stewart's contract situation.

Speakman told the press: “Ross is someone we’ve been having a conversation with since spring and had positive conversations with.

“We have an option for an extra year option, so there’s no panic there.

“Ross is a top guy. We want it to be right for Ross, we want it to be right for the football club and I’m sure we’ll get there at some point.”

It'd be massive for Sunderland

There is no doubt that securing the future of Stewart would be massive for Sunderland in their pursuit to climb the Championship table and return to the Premier League, as he has become a key player in the club's progress over the last 12 months.

Over 71 appearances for the Black Cats, the star striker has scored 32 goals and delivered seven assists, with a goal contribution every 141 minutes played - which led to the 26-year-old becoming the joint-top scorer in League One last season with 26 goals.

The Sunderland goal machine is showing no signs of slowing down since the club were promoted to the Championship, scoring five goals and delivering three assists already this season, as well as taking an average of 3.9 shots and making one key pass per game over his seven appearances in 2022/23.

Stewart's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, with journalist Josh Bunting hailing the player "unpredictable" and Kevin Phillips lavished praise on the striker claiming he "works his socks off" (via Chronicle Live):

“You’ve got a player up front that works his socks off, can finish all types and never gives up.”

As a result, after powering up Sunderland's League One success, the powers at The Stadium of Light must do everything they can to make sure he remains the dominant force in their challenge for Premier League promotion in the future, so securing an improved deal is an absolute necessity for Speakman.