Sunderland set to replace Alex Pritchard with another ex-Tottenham player

The Black Cats received some bad news with key midfielder Alex Pritchard heading to Birmingham, but they've acted swiftly to make fill the void.

Pritchard was key in their promotion from League One, and has shone in the second tier, but looks set to join the Blues in a cut-price deal.

Things ended unceremoniously when the 30-year-old prompted a club statement by taking himself out of selection before a 3-1 win over Stoke on January 27.

Now, the former Tottenham prospect looks set to be replaced with another midfielder from north London, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a deal has been agreed with Standard Liege for Romaine Mundle.

The Belgian Pro League side secured Mundle from Spurs on a free transfer last summer, and the London-born 20-year-old is now heading back to England.

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Joining him at the Stadium of Light will be Leo Hjelde, who became the club's first January signing.

The 20-year-old joins from Leeds on a four-and-a-half-year deal reportedly worth £2million.

The centre-back is another prospect who could play a big part in the Black Cats' future, and brings with him a great level of experience for his age, having played across Norway's youth teams despite being born in Nottingham.

Sunderland are currently seventh in the Championship, 16 points from the automatic promotion places, but only goal difference is keeping them out of the play-offs.

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Last season they narrowly missed out on the play-off final under Tony Mowbray, and have since sacked the experienced manager, replacing him with former Rangers and QPR boss Michael Beale.

Pritchard's move to Birmingham will see him reunite with Mowbray.