Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has dropped an update on Elliot Embleton's ongoing contract talks.

What's the latest?

In recent comments cited by the Sunderland Echo, the 40-year-old revealed that the club are locked in talks with the attacking midfielder's representatives, as the 22-year-old's current contract at the Stadium of Light is set to expire at the end of the season.

Speaking about the progress of the discussions, Johnson said: "It's definitely in hand. We're in contact with the representatives.

"From my point of view, I'm obviously keen to protect that player-coach relationship and continuing to help and aid him playing as well as I can. I really enjoy working with him, the likes of Embo, McGeady, Gooch, Pritch, Leon, it's a real pleasure to watch these guys and the things they can do.

"He's got to just concentrate on his football and his on-pitch stuff, and we'll let Kristjaan and the agents deal with the other side. I'm pretty sure there's an appetite to stay on his part, and our part there's very obviously an appetite to keep him on a long-term deal."

Fans will be buzzing

With Johnson clearly suggesting in his comments that Embleton seems keen to extend his stay at Sunderland, and taking into account how impressive the midfielder has been for the Black Cats so far this season, fans will undoubtedly be buzzing.

Indeed, over his eight League One appearances this term, the £4.3k-per-week ace has scored two goals, provided three assists and has created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking two shots and making 2.4 key passes per game.

These metrics have seen the player who Max Power dubbed a "nightmare" for defenders average a SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Sunderland's third-best performer in the league.

As such, should Embleton indeed put pen to paper on a new deal at the club, it will undeniably come as a huge boost to Johnson, who will be certainly be hoping that no Championship suitors take too much interest in the forward prior to the January transfer window.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops fresh claim on "excellent" 21 y/o gem, it's good news for Sunderland