QPR & Millwall face new hurdle in Sunderland transfer? Stoke City should move ASAP | OneFootball

Stoke City may be in the market for another new goalkeeper following a fresh injury blow to Gavin Bazunu

In what can only be described as another extraordinarily unlucky blow for Stoke City, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is facing up to six weeks in the treatment room after picking up a thigh injury in training.

Bazunu has had a rough campaign thus far with Southampton, coming under increased scrutiny for his performances in the Saints' goal. Daniel Peretz has been signed on loan by the club until the end of the season, allowing Bazunu to leave the club this month.

Following Viktor Johansson needing surgery on his shoulder, the Potters recalled Tommy Simkin from his loan at League One Leyton Orient, though boss Mark Robins was eager to get another body through the door to not rely on the youngster, and swiftly moved for Bazunu.

However, the Republic of Ireland international now faces a spell on the sidelines where he will join Johansson in the treatment room, leaving the Potters once again incredibly short in that area, and they may have to delve into the market again for yet another signing in that area.

One player they could look at is Anthony Patterson, who increasingly likely to leave Sunderland this month, with the 25-year-old having been replaced by Robin Roefs as the Black Cats' new number one in the summer - Stoke should look to join the race for his signature as soon as possible, with the transfer window ending in just over one week's time.

Stoke City should challenge QPR and Millwall in the race for Sunderland's Anthony Patterson

With Bazunu out until at least early March, Robins must make the difficult decision of whether to once again delve back into the market for a new goalkeeper, and if he decides to do so, Sunderland's Patterson could be a great option.

The Englishman had been the Black Cats' number one for each of the last three seasons before their promotion to the Premier League, where the acquisition of Robin Roefs from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen has seen him demoted to the bench.

Alan Nixon reported that QPR had joined the race for Patterson in mid-December, with the R's having used three different goalkeepers in their last four league games, whilst Millwall is also in the running, with Lukas Jensen out injured and Steven Benda recalled by Fulham from his loan, leaving the Lions short in that area.

Patterson has earned two promotions with his boyhood club, including from the Championship less than a year ago, playing almost every game in their success.

The Englishman is likely frustrated by his lack of game time at The Stadium of Light, and a January exit may be the best option for him to get his career back on track.

Sunderland have made a move for Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin as of late, clearing the way for Patterson to depart, and with both Johansson and Bazunu out, Stoke should swoop in ahead of their Championship rivals.

It would of course be another goalkeepers wage on the books, and if Johansson is back fit before the end of the season, there would theorerically be three big salaries in one position to contend with - but it might be necessary as Stoke's push for the top six is faltering in recent weeks.

It's been a difficult period for the Potters, who have had to navigate through a tricky festive period with an injury-ravaged squad, and whilst they have come out of it within touching distance of the top six, it looks to have taken its toll.

Against Boro, the Potters were comfortable in the first half and led 1-0 at the interval, but the introduction of Leo Castledine and Delano Burgzorg changed the complexion of the game, and they conceded two goals early in the second half, unable to make the necessary changes to get back in the game.

Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit appears to be on the verge of a move to the Potteries, whilst Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has also been heavily linked - should both arrive, that bolsters Robins' hand in the attacking department.

Stoke though need two or three more bodies after that to really boost numbers in the squad, and Patterson should be considered among those - even with the mass amount of goalkeepers they would then have contracted both full-time and temporarily.