Tony Mowbray is keen on the idea of bringing Joe Gelhardt back to Wearside next season - although much would depend on how Leeds United see the striker's future. Gelhardt joined Sunderland on loan in January with the Black Cats planning to use him to support Ross Stewart, however that strategy was torpedoed within hours as Stewart suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in an FA Cup tie at Fulham before Gelhardt had even had chance to make his debut.
Since then, Gelhardt has had to plough a lone furrow up front in a role that does not bring the best out of him. But the prospect of bringing the 20-year-old back to Sunderland next season to play alongside Stewart is something Mowbray has not ruled out.
Leeds' own plans for Gelhardt are unclear, with the Yorkshire club having already changed manager since the frontman was allowed to join Sunderland and there is no certainty that current incumbent Javi Gracia will stay at Elland Road beyond the summer - and much may also depend on whether Leeds stave off relegation or find themselves back in the Championship next term. "If it [bringing back Gelhardt] was a possibility it's something ... but there are a lot of things in the way," said Mowbray, as his side prepares to continue its play-off challenge against Watford at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.
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"I would assume that young Gelhardt would want to go back to his parent club, wherever they're going, and play games, get a feel - the kid doesn't even know what league they're going to be in at this moment, when you look at the bottom of the Premier League. We all like him.
"For next year, that's Leeds' call and the player's call, but I've enjoyed working with him because as we all see, there have been days when it hasn't gone to plan for him, but he's still worked and chased and fought and you can never knock a player who does that for you."
Gelhardt's spell at Sunderland got off to a difficult start and he scored just one goal in his first 11 outings. But more recently he has improved markedly, and has scored two goals in his last five games.
Mowbray said: "As I see the daffodils coming in my garden, I see Joffy loving his football again, thinking he's going to score goals. It's almost a shame the season only has a couple of games to go.
"Whether he's playing amazingly well or not so well, he works his socks off for the team. He runs and chases and fights and puts his body in.
"What an attribute to have, somebody who is a grafter."
Sunderland face Watford tomorrow before rounding off their Championship campaign at Preston a week on Monday.
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