Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is delighted with the progress this season of Jordan Pickford.

Pickford has impressed while on loan at Preston, and he is very highly rated by the Sunderland coaching staff who believe he has the potential to become the club's future number one.

Allardyce said: “I think he's done exceptionally well at Preston. I've been to watch him against Nottingham Forest, when they won 1-0.

“He's a Sunderland boy and the fact he's got so many games under his belt, means that bringing him back here might be an option that we consider.

“I spoke to Simon [Grayson, the Preston manager] on Sunday when he received an award at the North-West Football Writers' dinner, and he was telling me that Jordan had pulled off a couple of great saves and kept a clean sheet at Burnley to get them a victory in a local derby.

“The lad is looking like he is going to be a major asset to this club, but the timing on bringing him back is something we'll look at later."