Smoggie coming to SoL on loan?

It's been confirmed this afternoon that Sunderland will almost certainly be taking a loan player from a small town in Yorkshire.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McLaren revealed today that talks are at an advanced stage to complete the loan move of winger Stewart Downing to the Stadium of Light, with the move looking likely for completion later this week.

Downing, 19, is an England youth international who has impressed in the Smogs' reserve team, but has been limited to only two league appearances this season - as a substitute in the home defeats to Arsenal and Chelski. He was one of the starting 11 in Boro's Carling Cup home 1-0 win against Brighton, but was himself substituted after 65 minutes.