Sunderland face setback over potential Ellis Simms return as Everton stance emerges | OneFootball

New Everton manager Sean Dyche is set to keep Ellis Simms at the club for the rest of the season in a blow to Sunderland, who were hoping to re-sign the striker.

According to The Northern Echo, Simms trained with the Toffees this morning and Dyche is minded to retain the striker at Goodison Park for their survival fight.

Simms had a successful loan spell with the Black Cats during the first half of the season, scoring seven goals in 17 appearances, but he was recalled by Everton last month, with then manager Frank Lampard deciding he was needed back at Goodison Park amid the club’s attacking struggles.

But Simms has made just two Premier League substitute appearances since his return to Merseyside and speculation about his future had gathered pace following Lampard’s dismissal as Toffees boss.

The Black Cats are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements following Ross Stewart’s injury, with the Scotsman reportedly out for the rest of the season, with manager Tony Mowbray admitting he is keen to bring Simms back to the club.

“Ellis Simms, if he comes back will be huge for this football club, because he gives us a focal point at the front end of the pitch. He scored some massively important goals before he was recalled to Everton,” Mowbray told The Northern Echo.

“There’s a few days to go. I’m assuming Sean (Dyche) is now in with his feet under the desk. Whether they make a quick decision on Ellis Simms, I don’t know. Whether they bring another striker in and Ellis is allowed to come back, it would be pretty appropriate for our team to give us a focal point and score goals.”

However, Mowbray looks set to face disappointment with Dyche supposedly unwilling to let Simms leave before the window closes.

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The verdict

This is a huge blow for Sunderland.

Simms was excellent for the Black Cats in the first half of the season and after Stewart’s injury, his potential return became even more important.

The 21-year-old stepped up admirably when Stewart was sidelined earlier in the campaign and would have slotted in seamlessly do to the same again this time around.

But with a return to the Stadium of Light looking increasingly unlikely, the Black Cats must ensure they bring in alternative attacking reinforcements before tonight’s 11pm deadline.