Jay Matete has been sent out on loan to promotion-chasing Oxford United until the end of the season.
Matete was injured in pre-season and as such has made zero appearances for Sunderland this season, only managing to feature on the bench away to Ipswich.
A loan spell then perhaps comes as little surprise with the player most likely wanting, and needing, first team minutes as he enters a critical period in his career now aged 22.
Despite this, many of our fans were hoping to see him feature more in the first team squad as he finalised his recovery from his knee injury and compete with and offer depth to our midfield, an area most of us admit we need new bodies in.
Having previously been promoted with us in 2022 and then Plymouth in 2023 from the third tier, it's a level and league he's comfortable with and therefore a good choice for his loan destination especially since he's not fully fit yet.
Kristjaan Speakman commented this: “We were pleased with Jay’s progress last season and he returned from his loan spell ready to challenge for a place in our team. Unfortunately, he suffered a setback in pre-season but he’s worked hard to return to fitness and ensure he’s ready for the second half of the campaign. Jay’s immediate requirements are best supported by playing regularly in the coming months and we hope this move provides a platform for him to do that.”
