Sunderland's French midfielder Pierre Ekwah is continuing to have a mixed season on loan at St Etienne. Ekwah looked like he might take the Championship by storm last term and had a good first half-season at the Stadium of Light

The 23-year-old played 40 games in the second tier, scoring five goals and grabbing two assists. He has featured 19 times in Ligue 1, scoring once, but Etienne are struggling in the relegation zone with 11 games left to play.

Ekwah’s form at St Etienne has been questioned by some pundits and although The Greens have a reported £6million option to buy Ekwah in the summer that may not happen. Speaking to French outlet BUT! Football Club recently, Ekwah would not be drawn on the uncertainty of his future beyond this season.

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“The main thing is to get out of this complicated situation and ensure the club’s survival,” he said. “My goal is to raise my level of play, to perform better and to better serve the team. My personal case, I really put it aside.”

Right now, it looks like Ekwah will be returning to Wearside in the summer with Etienne unlikely to fork out £6million for a player who’s not impressed all that much this season.

They could even be relegated but Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris may wish to have a look at Ekwah and see how he’s developed given he still has time as he remains under contract until 2027.