Sunderland Sam Allardyce is biding his time over the Black Cats current goalkeeping situation ahead of their clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Possible changes
The Black Cats currently have three goalkeepers at their disposal with Costel Pantilimon, Vito Mannone and Jordan Pickford all making appearances so far this campaign.
However it seems that Allardyce is taking a step back to see how the situation in between the sticks with the three will evolve in the next fortnight, with one potentially moving out of the exit door before the transfer window slams shut.
The keeper believed to be heading to the exit door is former Manchester City stopper Pantilimon, with his absence from the matchday squad for the team's 4-2 win over Swansea City further fuelling speculation that the Romanian could be leaving the Stadium of Light.
Pantilimon hasn’t played since last month when Allardyce brought Mannone back into the mix and Pickford was brought back from his loan spell at Championship club Preston North End.
Not ruled out
However Allardyce hasn’t ruled out all three staying at the club, telling the Sunderland Echo that they could all stay but it is all depending on how “the situation develops” as January goes on.
He added that he thinks one may find it “more difficult” than another if they're “not playing” and may “want a move”.
Allardyce revealed that it was Mannone who said that he “needed” first-team football, but he has “got a chance” now and so Allardyce believes it could be Pantilimon who could ask for a move.
Position threatened
Allardyce’s decision was made even harder when youngster Pickford put in an excellent debut performance in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal, with the manager saying that Pickford “threatens” both Mannone and Pantilimon.
He added that he thought that Mannone was “excellent” against Aston Villa though, with Pantilimon reportedly “bitterly disappointed” to have been left out.
As the situation develops, we will see who starts in between the sticks tomorrow when Sunderland take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, with kick-off at 12:45PM BST.