Michael Beale has been talking about Sunderland’s third and final signing of the January window.
Michael Beale believes Callum Style would add variety to his Sunderland side and admitted that he almost signed him earlier in his managerial career.
Styles joined Sunderland on loan from Barnsley on deadline day, and he can play in midfield or at left back. Beale has intimated that he will likely start on the left wing, given Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, and Niall Huggins are all out due to injury.
“We’ve had a big issue on the left side of defence,” Beale told reporters.
“Trai has gone over there, and Jenson has come in at right back, and both have done exceptionally well, but you’d like to have balance. We had it for a while when Aji came back in shape, but we lost it after a few games.
“Leo is an option for us, and I believe Callum can play as a left back or a left wing back, and because he’s used to playing in midfield, he can move diagonally into that position, which helps Jack [Clarke], who prefers to stay wide.” He can certainly play on the left side of a two- or three-man midfield.
“He’s a player I’ve been following for a while. I know the club has been interested for a time. He was someone who piqued my interest when the club mentioned him, and I met with him one-on-one to discuss joining a previous club, so I’m thrilled to be working with him.
Kristjaan Speakman stated earlier today that Styles would miss Sunderland’s next two games as he recovers from appendix surgery.
“We had an agreement on Callum but then he had to go for surgery, it was a fairly minor procedure nowadays and the medical staff obviously do an incredible job,” Speakman went on to say.
“He simply needs to get himself back on his feet, and he should be back on the turf in the next ten to fourteen days, ready for selection.
“That was certainly a decision for us to make, whether to stick with it or go with someone else, but we felt it was the right option to forego the next game or two in order to have him for the remainder of the season.
