SUNDERLAND are in advanced talks that are expected to result in Nazariy Rusyn leaving the club this month.

Rusyn was left out of the squad that travelled to Pride Park for last night’s 1-0 win over Derby County, and was also not involved as Sunderland’s Under-21s side played last Friday night.

The Ukrainian striker has been made available for a transfer, with Regis Le Bris confirming that the transfer discussions meant he was not considered for last night’s game.

Aaron Connolly has already left Sunderland this month, joining Championship side Millwall, and Rusyn looks like following him through the exit door in the next few days.

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“It is possible something could happen there (with Rusyn),” confirmed Le Bris. “We are having many conversations at the minute about his journey and the options we could find for him.

“As I have said before, it is very important to combine the two ideas – the purpose of the club and the team, and the purpose of the player.

“Sometimes, some of the players need minutes, and I think, for him, it could be a good opportunity to do something different.”

Rusyn’s Sunderland career has never really taken off since he joined the club from Zorya Luhansk in the summer of 2023.

He has made a total of 31 senior appearances for the Black Cats, scoring two goals, but all eight of his league appearances this season have come from the substitutes’ bench.

His last league start came in a home defeat to Swansea City last February, and he now finds himself behind untried youngster Trey Ogunsuyi in the attacking pecking order.

Sunderland are understood to be discussing both loan and permanent options as they look to engineer the 26-year-old’s exit this month.

When asked whether he thought Rusyn would be leaving permanently or on loan, Le Bris said: “I don’t know at the minute because it is too early to say.”