Phil Parkinson
Sunderland transfers: Phil Parkinson confirms one exit as Black Cats boss reveals key area
The Black Cats will look to replace the departing defender in the January transfer window
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Phil Parkinson has confirmed that Leeds United have recalled defender Laurens De Bock from his loan spell on Wearside.
The Belgian defender wants to return to his homeland for personal reasons, and Parkinson says Leeds have brought him back to Elland Road which will clear the way for another move either on loan or on a permanent basis.
"Laurens has gone back," said Parkinson. "He wants to go back to Belgium.
"Leeds had the option to call him back, and I think it's more a personal thing for Laurens that he wants to go back home.
"As far as we are concerned, it's more wages we can utilise in the window."
De Bock's departure means that Sunderland will be looking to add a left-back, or a left wingback, in the January window alongside their other transfer priorities.
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Parkinson said: "Luke [O'Nien] can play in that left wingback role because he is two-footed, and Conor McLaughlin can play on the right, and Lynden Gooch can play wingback as well, but that now becomes an area we are looking at – we don't want to leave ourselves light in any area.
"I don't want to be watching training and worrying what we are going to do if someone gets injured, I want to make sure we have cover in all areas."
Parkinson's overriding priority is to add to Sunderland's attacking options this month but he does not expect any additions ahead of this weekend's home game against Lincoln City.
Laurens de Bock