KRISTJAAN Speakman and Regis Le Bris both believe Sunderland will benefit from "removing the uncertainty" surrounding Wilson Isidor after the striker made his loan switch permanent.

Isidor has been a big hit on Wearside since joining on what was initially a season-long loan move from Zenit St Petersburg in the summer.

The striker has nailed down the No.9 spot in Le Bris' side and is set to play a leading role in the promotion run-in.

But as Isidor approached the end of the season and his loan, attention would no doubt have turned to his future.

With the striker settled and happy on and off the pitch at Sunderland, the Black Cats were keen to ensure there was no side-show in the crucial final months of the campaign and made a permanent deal for the 24-year-old a priority in the January transfer window.

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Isidor was delighted to extend his stay at the club, signing a long-term contract until the summer of 2028.

Sunderland's sporting director Speakman said: "The change from a loan to a permanent is not always as easy as is made out, it's not just a case of ticking a box.

"From a club perspective, it's therefore always good to be well organised and ahead of schedule on these types of things.

"Ultimately from the point of the view of the player, he wanted to join and he was motivated to join, so I just think the uncertainty of us not committing to that maybe wouldn't have given him the best foundation for the second half of the season.

"I saw it as a win-win, the club know where we're at in terms of our longer-term planning and the player who wanted to join, is committed, is really happy about that.

"And then I think externally our supporters can see that we are committing to this quality of player. It just removes the uncertainty and everyone can be super comfortable moving forward."

Isidor has started Sunderland's last 25 games and has 10 Championship goals so far this season. He registered his first assist of the campaign for Dennis Cirkin's last minute equaliser against Watford on Saturday, and will again lead the line for the Black Cats at home to Luton Town tomorrow night.

Le Bris, like Speakman and Isidor, was thrilled the loan move was made permanent last month.

Sunderland's head coach said: "Especially during the second part of the season, it is important.

"In the early part you have eight months [ahead]. Now when we get to April, May, the situation is solved and so Wilson should be really comfortable."

Le Bris will make at least one change for tomorrow night's game, with Jobe Bellingham expected to return after missing the Watford draw with a minor ankle injury.