Sunderland legend urges Black Cats to sign Brighton youngster Alex Cochrane - who has been linked with Portsmouth

The Brighton youngster has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light following an injury to left-back Denver Hume.

He was on the Blues’ radar during the summer, as Kenny Jackett weighed up his own full-back options.

The 20-year-old ended up heading to Belgium, though, signing a season-long loan deal with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, where Christian Burgess now plys his trade.

Pompey are in the market for a left-back in the current transfer window, following Cam Pring’s Bristol City recall.

Steve Seddon and Charlie Daniels have both been heavily linked with a move to Fratton Park.

But conscious of the quality Cochrane possess, Phillips believes promotion-chasing Sunderland should not delay in making a move for the England youth international.

He told Football Insider: ‘At the stage of the season, any player that can come in and effect your side straight away would be a great signing.

‘Sunderland cannot afford to sign players for the under-23s, they need players who can get them out of that league. That is it, end off.

‘It is not about building for the future now, they need to bring players in to get out of that league and then after that they can worry about the future.

‘If Cochrane could come in, it would be a good signing for the club. It would boost everyone because he is a quality player. Let’s hope they can get that one over the line.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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