Joe Willock looks set to go on loan this month, after his brace in the FA Cup, with Sunderland one of the clubs showing an interest.

Sunday’s edition of The Football League Paper reports that a loan ‘now seems imminent’ for Willock, particularly after his impressive performance over the weekend. There have been some question marks over the fact he still seems a bit ‘wiry’ at this age, but that reportedly hasn’t stopped Sunderland from showing an interest.

The Football League Paper expect Sunderland to face competition from several Championship and overseas clubs this month.

The Times wrote on Monday that Willock ‘justifies comparisons to Paul Pogba’ after his Blackpool brace. They called the performance one that Pogba ‘would have been proud of’ and added that it erases the memory of the midfielder’s first FA Cup start against Nottingham Forest a year earlier.

It probably is best if Willock goes on loan later this month. He’ll likely have a chance to play in the FA Cup fourth round, depending on who Arsenal draw on Monday night. However, from February to May, his opportunities are sure to be fairly limited.

If the 19-year-old went out on a brief loan to a club that really needs a midfielder like him, it could push his career forwards and have him fighting for starts next season.