Sunderland proven right to target Connor Wickham reunion

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Tottenham Hotspur were sent packing from the FA Cup yesterday. Crystal Palace deserved a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park with Roy Hodgson’s side leaving Mauricio Pochettino’s team exiting their second cup in the space of a week.

The hero for Palace was Connor Wickham. He was starting his first game in 792 days after suffering a serious knee injury in November 2016. Wickham scored the opening goal whilst it was his presence that seemed to force Kyle Walker-Peters into a poor handball. Andros Townsend dispatched the penalty and Spurs eventually lost 2-0.

It was a performance which highlighted why Sunderland were reportedly keen on bringing Wickham back to the Stadium of Light.

As reported by TEAMtalk at the start of the month, Sunderland made an enquiry over Wickham potentially returning to the Stadium of Light.

Wickham joined Sunderland from Ipswich for a reported £8.1 million in 2011. He went on to struggle initially, before good form in his final two seasons on Wearside saw him move to Crystal Palace.

So a return would have been welcomed by some but others were doubtful due to his injury trouble. It is now clear that Sunderland were right to be keen on a return.

However, that track has now gone cold and Palace clearly now have a use for the player. Sunderland must now continue their hunt for a Josh Maja replacement.