By Kevin Phillips

24th Jan, 2022 | 8:36am

Sunderland told to U-turn on Hume exit after Johnson update - Phillips

Kevin Phillips has urged Sunderland to block Denver Hume from exiting the club this month.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend said he’d be “very reluctant to let” the 23-year-old leave midway through the season.

Hume was omitted from the Black Cats squad that beat Portsmouth 1-0 on Saturday.

As quoted by the Northern Echo (22 January), Lee Johnson revealed the left-back is nearing a move to Portsmouth after “verbal offers”.

Hume has struggled for game time on Wearside this season because of injury and the form of Lynden Gooch and Dennis Cirkin.

When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his assessment of the situation, Phillips said: “It is a very tough one.

“It’s about numbers. There is still a lot of games to go and a lot of big games for Sunderland. Anything can happen.

“Do you let a player go and run the risk of leaving yourself a little bit short? They’re in such a good position right now. It is a difficult one.

“Perhaps the player wants to leave though and if that’s the case it’s difficult. If they can somehow keep him at the club and somehow keep him happy I’d keep him. I’d be very reluctant to let him go.

“I would be cautious of numbers going forward. It will be interesting to see what happens this week.”

Hume has made eight appearances across all competitions this season.

He has 18 months left on his contract.

In other news, it can be revealed that Sunderland have made a move to sign a Tottenham forward.