Jake Vokins loan move to Sunderland till the end of the season came as a surprise to most Saints fans given the club's current injury issues, however could it mean Saints are close to bringing in a loan deal to St Mary's to cover his loss.

Although Jake Vokins was very much a squad player in the Saints squad, he looked a good prospect and with the injury issues, it looks a strange decision to dilute the squad further.

But Ralph Hasenhuttl seems to have a plan going forward:

"Jake is going because I think at the moment it’s better for him to get a little bit more games to develop."

"What we saw in the last game was that he is missing the games and the challenges. I have no chance to give him these opportunities. "

Ralph is right, Vokins is a talent, but he has to get some game time in and that has been hard at Saints with Ryan Bertrand being so consistent , but with so many injuries and no other obvious cover for Bertrand it seems strange to let Vokins go at the moment.

Strange unless he has already lined up someone to come in, Brandon Williams, from Manchester United or Ainsley Maitland Niles have both been mentioned, although the latter who has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal seems the favourite due to his experience and ability to play as a full back on either side of the pitch as well as a wing back or central midfielder, he could bring us cover in several departments.

So I would be surprised if Saints had let Vokins go without cover for Bertrand coming in.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 09:28 - Jan 30 Seems like a strange decision with no obvious cover for Ryan Bertrand who remains only a few months away from the end of his contract. Loan signing most likely with Jake Vokins being given the opportunity to sharpen up by playing more games. That said, is their any guarantee that JV will be Sunderland's regular left back? If he sits on the bench then the whole process grinds to a halt. I guess we'll know a lot more very soon but it could be that Jack Stephens becomes our left back cover for the rest of the season in the hope that Bertrand avoids injury and suspension. Fingers crossed time,again.

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perazi added 10:23 - Jan 30 I think it will be AMN to come in, with a long term plan for him to play as an attacking midfielder instead of signing Theo at the end of his loan spell. One thing's for sure, it won't be a CB that's been demanded by the columnist.
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Colburn added 10:54 - Jan 30 Would love to have Victor at the club, superb talent and not getting a game at Arsenal. However I believe he prefers to play in one of the midfield positions rather than full back and I'm not sure he will be as keen to come here if we want him as cover or competition for Bertie. I'd expect Arsenal would prefer he came here, given our style of play but it seems he wants to try to gain a place in the England Euro squad and that means regular appearances in midfield.. Vokins needs game time so a great move for experience but that does just leave us with Jack as cover for 3 positions unless we bring someone in.

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underweststand added 11:07 - Jan 30 It seems Ralph is one of the minority who don't see Jake as an immediate replacement for Ryan Bertrand , and I would go along with that to some extent, but RH is right in that Jake won't get up to a better standard by continuing to play in " the B team ". The top end of L1 is probably just as good as a lower-end Championship side, and Sunderland have always been a gritty side who play "men's football ", and it's a good chance for Jake to show up and get experience, and return better prepared for the Prem. Unlike Sims, Vokins has recently signed an extension (until 2024,) and so it does seem as though he is clearly ear-maked as "one for the future " and not a way to ease him out . The question remains what will happen with Ryan Bertrand in the next few days.? A loan move to Arsenal whilst his contract runs down - and maybe get a reciprocal loan in the form of Maitland-Niles ? Either way it has suddenly become a big question about a role that has been admirably filled over the last 20 years by a succession of good young Academy talents. (Bridge, Bale, Shaw, and Targett). Who's next Ralph?

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SanMarco added 11:25 - Jan 30 "But Ralph Hasenhuttl seems to have a plan going forward". Let's hope so. The timing is strange unless an incoming deal is already agreed. If Bertie sprains his ankle in the first minute tonight it won't look so clever. I know he is not everyone's cup of tea but Bertie has been a good club servant. Can't really see what he has to gain from moving now. At least the window will 'slam' shut in a few hours now and all the rumours can die down for a few weeks (alright days, hours minutes but there must be some second or two when one lot are over and the next haven't begun yet - musn't there???)

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