Murray slams Stead agent

Bob Murray has openly criticised the role played by Jon Stead's agent in a move which saw the Huddersfield Town striker choose Blackburn Rovers after initially saying that his team of choice was Sunderland.

Mick McCarthy has been tracking Stead - the third division's top scorer - since the beginning of this season.

Murray revealed today that Sunderland made an improved offer to Huddersfield on Sunday - an offer which was accepted - and were given permission to open talks with the player. Then came the shock news that the player had chosen Blackburn instead.

Murray said "We're disappointed not to get Jon Stead and I personally feel let down by his agent.

"We thought it was happening and then his agent rang later saying that Jon had decided to go to Blackburn - despite stating over the weekend that he only wanted to come to Sunderland. This was totally contrary to all our earlier conversations."

But the chairman said that Sunderland will continue to look at taking players on loan from the Premiership.

"We cannot sign players from Premiership clubs when the window closes but we can still take them on loan. We'll continue to look to strengthen at every opportunity."