#sunderland

#sunderland

According to Fichajes (via Sunderland Echo), Sunderland and Wolves are among the clubs interested in signing Gonzalo Garcia, who has also been linked with Aston Villa of late. The 21-year-old has struggled for playing time at Real Madrid this season, so it cannot be ruled out that he seeks a winter move to the Premier League in order to continue his development.

David Moyes, the manager who oversaw a disastrous relegation for Sunderland eight years ago, found a very different club on his first return to the Stadium of Light. Back then, Sunderland were on a downward slope. Now, things are on the up. Regis Le Bris' impressive Sunderland moved up to fourth place ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Moyes' Everton side.

"I said after the [Ajax] game it was a special night, special for the club and the fans with so many young players. We are full of good, young, talented players and the main thing for me is just to try to help them day by day get better and better. It's the only way to improve the team if you can help the players."

We checked Noah yesterday and he seems okay. We will see after the training sessions, today and tomorrow, if he will be available for this weekend - but we are positive. It's still possible that his injury is worse than we think but, at the minute, he is okay. He has had this injury before so he knows how it evolves and how serious it is. It's positive at the minute, but we will see.

Sunderland have made an impressive start to their Premier League campaign, but they face crucial decisions regarding the futures of several first-team players. They were quite impressive in the Championship last season, and they have carried that form into the top flight, with just two defeats from their opening seven matches. They have managed to bring in talented players during the summer transfer window as well.

Signed for just 12m in the summer, the former RB Leipzig, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen defender was given his chance when Dan Ballard picked up an injury in the second game of the season. The 27-year-old has embraced the challenge, producing a series of standout displays. In his four games, Sunderland have picked up eight points and conceded just two goals. His physicality and athleticism have been central to the team's fast start.

Sunderland's summer transfer activity was the talk of the town during the recent window - and for good reason. The Black Cats added an entirely new starting XI to the squad which secured a return to the top flight via the Championship play-offs last season and have hit the ground running after their nine-year Premier League hiatus. Sunderland beat rivals to a number of signings, including the 30 million capture of Habib Diarra from Strasbourg, who was high on Leeds United's list of midfield targets.

Six games into the season and Sunderland are flying high in the Premier League. After eight years away, the Black Cats are enjoying being back in the big time, with victory at Nottingham Forest lifting them into the Champions League places. Few would expect them still to be there come May, but with three wins under their belt already, Regis le Bris' side have every reason to be optimistic.