Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has revealed that he originally wanted to loan out striker Ji Dong-won but the size of the squad has not allowed it.
The 20-year-old has made just one start for the Black Cats since his move to the Stadium of Light last summer, but the former Aston Villa boss believes that the South Korean frontman has the potential to thrive in the Premier League.
"In an ideal world, it would be great for Ji to have gone out on loan for a month or so to somewhere he could have played three or four consecutive games," O'Neill told the Shields Gazette.
"But we just can't afford to do it because of the size of the squad. I didn't know a lot about Ji when I first came here, but I think I'm in a position now to talk about him. Technically, Ji is very, very good."
The former Chunnam Dragons player competed in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday but failed to force a goal for O'Neill's side.
Danielle Joynson
