Ex-Hull City man primed for Sunderland link-up as Championship merry-go-round gathers pace

Former Hull City loanee Scott Twine could be set for a surprise move to Sunderland with it appearing almost certain his career at Burnley is over.

Twine spent the first half of last season on loan at City having been heralded as a marquee signing by Acun Ilicali and Liam Rosenior, but his spell in East Yorkshire failed to live up to the hype, and he briefly returned to Turf Moor in January before heading off to Bristol City having managed just four goals and three assists in 25 Black and Amber outings.

The playmaker struggled with injury in the second half of the campaign at Ashton Gate, finding himself restricted to just two goals in 10 appearances, but a host of clubs are keen on signing the 24-year-old who has two years on his Clarets deal.

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Sunderland, currently without a manager have been linked with a move for Twine and it had been expected Liam Rosenior could take over at the Stadium of Light but appears to no longer be interested with links to Burnley.

Relegated Birmingham City are also thought to be keen on bringing him to St Andrew's to spearhead their League One promotion push.

Speaking just before the end of the Championship campaign which saw the Robins finish eight points and four places below City in 11th, Ashton Gate chairman Jon Lansdown admitted the club would explore the possibility of getting a permanent deal done.

“Scott’s done well for us when we’ve managed to get him on the pitch and would be a good fit in that sense but, at the same time, it’s finding out what’s the viability of that?” Lansdown said. “He’s obviously at a club and we don’t know where his club is going to be next season yet, and for us, we know we like the player and what he brings, it’s what does it cost and where does that fit? It’s the same with anyone.

“He’s done well, he’s obviously worked with Liam (Manning) before and has been a positive influence on the squad; all of those boxes are ticked, it’s just where it fits in with everything else and whether it’s feasible or not. It’s something we’ll obviously explore, along with everything else, because it is a position we need.”