Sunderland make striker transfer decision with January deal imminent

Black Cats striker Aaron Connolly is set to sign for Championship rivals Millwall

Striker Aaron Connolly is set to leave Sunderland to join up with fellow Championship side Millwall. The front man’s short stint on Wearside will come to an end, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion man said to be heading back south to join up with Millwall.

The Lions — now managed by former Sunderland boss Alex Neil — are understood to have agreed to take the 24-year-old on after he had struggled to find his feet since arriving on a short-term deal in September.

Connolly started just two league games in red and white, scoring once, a lovely volley coincidentally away at Millwall, but has struggled for game time and has found himself behind Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda in the pecking order.

Régis Le Bris had hinted that it was likely he would sanction a move for Connolly this month, and he will head down to the capital to join the team currently sat 14th in the Championship table.

Speaking after his first start for Sunderland in November, Connolly said: “I love it here. It’s a great group and I like the way we play. I can see myself having a successful season here.

“I was never going to use the excuse I had no pre-season. I didn’t have one last season at Hull and I was scoring goals. I know the goals will come, I’m not going to force it. I know I can contribute and I know I can score goals.”

However, it now looks as though he will be lining up for Championship rivals Millwall – and could make his Stadium of Light return with the Lions head to the North East on March 29.

Sunderland have a twin focus as a crucial month continues on and off the pitch.