Sunderland will monitor Chris Mepham’s availability this summer after his successful loan spell at the club last season.

Kristjaan Speakman says Sunderland will monitor Chris Mepham’s availability this summer after his successful loan spell at the club last season.

Mepham made 40 appearances across his campaign on Wearside, having joined from Bournemouth on deadline day of the summer transfer window. The central defender also emerged as a key figure in Sunderland’s dressing room, winning praise from staff and players alike for his influence across the rigours of a long Championship season.

As such, he is on Sunderland’s longlist of potential transfer targets this summer as Speakman and the recruitment team step up preparations for the new campaign. At this stage, Speakman has hinted that the club are weighing up various options in a number of positions. Mepham is out of contract at Bournemouth this summer, though they do have the option to extend for a further season.