Sunderland join Portsmouth in new left-back hunt - with Black Cats' radar reportedly on Brighton youngster previously linked with Fratton move

According to The Argus, the Wearsiders have emerged as potential suitors for the 20-year-old Brighton youngster, who is currently a loan team-mate of Christian Burgess at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and was linked with a move to Fratton Park in the summer.

He was identified as a full-back who could help fill the void left by Birmingham loanee Steve Seddon.

At the time, Pompey were also looking for a successor to Lee Brown, with the defender’s contract at PO4 set to expire.

However, a move for Cochrane never materialised, with Brown signing a contract extension and Cam Pring brought in on loan from Bristol City.

There were also doubts from the Brighton end whether their youth product would get sufficient first-team opportunities at their south-coast neighbours.

Pring has since returned to the Robins – prompting the Blues to once again scour the market for a replacement.

Seddon and Shrewsbury’s Charlie Daniels have been linked in recent days.

But there’s no suggestion Cochrane is once again on their radar.

Instead, he’s been linked with a move to Sunderland, with Johnson looking cover for the injured Denver Hume.

The England youth international has started the past five games for Union, but Brighton reportedly have the option to recall him this month.

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