Jack Colback's talks over a new Sunderland deal are progressing well and could be completed soon, according to a report in The Journal.

The midfielder's current contract expires in the summer with a plethora of clubs, including Everton and Swansea, watching in the hope of stealing him, but Sunderland are resolved to not allowing that to happen.

Colback is one of a number of players whose deals at the Stadium of Light are due to expire in a matter of months. He is the only one currently in talks apparently, but Phil Bardsley and Seb Larsson are said to be hopeful of nabbing extensions.

David Vaughan and Craig Gardner are widely expected to leave this month, with Nottingham Forest especially close to the former.

Carlos Cuellar, Andrea Dossena and Keiren Westwood meanwhile are probably headed for the exit this summer.

It's not difficult to see why Sunderland have prioritised Colback's deal, though. As a homegrown product he lends some identity to what is becoming a bit of a cosmopolitan squad. He is also maturing into a quite lovely footballer, and one who perfectly slots into Gus Poyet's preferred philosophy too.

Plenty more in The Journal's report, including updates on the futures of the on-loan lads, so well worth a read by clicking HERE.