Grimsby Town boss Michael Jolley has admitted he’s keen to keep Sunderland’s Ethan Robson at the club beyond his initial loan spell.
The 22-year-old bagged a brace this weekend as the Mariners toppled league leaders Exeter City and he’s been incredibly impressive during his current spell at Blundell Park.
After the success of Elliot Embleton last season, it seems that Grimsby have once again struck gold with a loan player from Wearside.
Jolley, who has seen his side move to within touching distance of the top seven, is keen to keep the youngster beyond January and until the end of the season, as he told BBC Radio Humberside.
“With regards to Ethan, the deal is we have him until January,” he said.
“I think it could work out like Elliot last season where if it’s appropriate at the time, we’ll have the conversation with Sunderland and Ethan and if it’s right for all parties we can maybe look to extend it.”
He does admit that if the midfielder keeps up his current form, it might not be easy to keep him in League Two.
“We’re not at that point yet, but the way Ethan is going, it may be that Sunderland see him as part of their team in the second half of the season. We just have to wait and see.”
Robson has made nine appearances in the Championship for the Black Cats but played the bulk of his senior football during a loan spell with Dundee in the SPFL last season.
Our View
The relationship between Sunderland and Grimsby is clearly a fruitful one for both sides. Embleton went away nothing more than an exciting prospect but returned ready to stake a first team claim.
It seems Robson is going the same way. he’s really at home in League Two and Grimsby offer a good environment for young players. They’ve got a decent training ground and a strong footballing philosophy, which will only improve the youngster’s chances of returning to the Black Cats ready for action.
