SUNDERLAND will allow Joe Anderson to leave ahead of next Monday's transfer deadline, with League One clubs among those said to be interested in the defender.

Anderson hasn't played a single minute of Championship action this season for the Black Cats and has only once been named in a matchday squad for a league game.

The 23-year-old played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup first round defeat to Preston in August but that remains his one and only start since joining from Everton two years ago this month.

He spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury and was expected to head out again in the summer but a move didn't materialise.

Bristol Rovers and Exeter have now been linked with a move for the defender ahead of the deadline, while there's previously been interest from clubs in Scotland.

It's understood Sunderland wouldn't stand in the way of a loan or permanent move for Anderson this month, with the defender clearly not featuring in the plans of boss Regis Le Bris.

Despite Aji Alese's season-ending injury, Le Bris currently has Luke O'Nien, Chris Mepham and Dan Ballard battling for two places at centre-half, while Jenson Seelt is closing in on a first team return after playing for the Under-21s last week.

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Leo Hjelde is comfortable playing at centre-half and left-back. And although Trai Hume is currently the only recognised right-back who is available, O'Nien has played there this season and the Black Cats still have high hopes for the future for Niall Huggins, who is currently working his way back from a serious knee injury.

Sunderland aren't expected to strengthen their defence ahead of the transfer deadline, with the focus still very much on a versatile forward player.

Le Bris, though, has repeatedly pointed out that he only wants players who are the right fit for Sunderland on and off the pitch, and the head coach won't be panicked into making signings in the final days of the window unless he's certain they'll enhance his squad. Wilson Isidor has nailed down the striker starting spot, Eliezer Mayenda is playing well and Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson are both closing in on a return from injury.

Le Bris confirmed last week that Sunderland are targeting a versatile forward rather than an out-and-out striker.

One player who has been linked in the last week is former Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom, who will be allowed to leave Ajax this month.

But Leicester City and Marseille are also now said to be keeping tabs on the ex-Arsenal youngster's situation. Akpom is thought to have been one of the attackers in Sunderland's thinking but there was always an acceptance it would be a difficult deal to do given the finances that would be involved and the competition from elsewhere. Reports from the Netherlands also claimed Akpom would be reluctant to return to the Championship.

Le Bris said last week: "Probably we still need some more vertical threats, players who could run in behind. This could be a striker but also a winger, maybe a versatile player.

"This is still very much in our mind, but we will see what comes in these next weeks. But it is not necessarily about a number nine."