DEAL CONFIRMED:A talented wingers from Sunderland signs a life contract with Rangers

Sunderland fans have a new favourite in Chris Mepham. But as ever, they’re trying not to fall too in love with a loan player.

The last loan man who Sunderland fans fell in love with was Amad Diallo, and Manchester United eventually broke fans’ hearts by never choosing to send him back to the Stadium of Light.

There was constant links, though the move obviously never materialised. Now it’s Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham who’s winning over fans with his commanding performances in defence.

Sunderland beat Luton Town 2-1 in midweek and SAFC Live pundit Danny Collins named Mepham as his Man of the Match that night.

Collins also named Mepham as his Man of the Match for the previous win against Hull City, with the 26-year-old having now featured seven times in the Championship for Sunderland, following the injury to Dan Ballard.

Earlier this month, Michael Graham rated Sunderland’s chances of signing Mepham permanently, with a possible move seemingly up in the air given his contract situation.

Do Bournemouth have a recall clause in Chris Mepham’s Sunderland loan deal?

Sunderland signed Mepham on a season-long loan deal during the summer, bringing him in following the injury to Aji Alese.

Mepham’s fine form has obviously gotten some Sunderland fans fearing a potential January recall.

Quizzed on whether Bournemouth have the option to recall Mepham in January, journalist Phil Smith said on On The Whistle this week: “I don’t know this for sure.

“But what I would say is that I would suggest it’s highly likely. It would be highly irregular for a season-long loan deal to be done without a January recall; pretty much every club does it now.”

Smith went on to say: “I would be stunned if there wasn’t a recall clause.

“But I wouldn’t be too concerned at the moment because ultimately, Mepham’s playing regularly, he’s playing well, and he’s building his value to Bournemouth.”