Roefs 'would benefit from staying for another couple of years'

The Guardian's Louise Taylor believes Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs would "benefit" from staying at the club for "another couple of years", rather than move away and risk his career stalling.

The 23-year-old, signed from Dutch side NEC last summer, has been one of the Black Cats' standout performers this season, keeping nine Premier League clean sheets so far as Regis Le Bris' side look to finish in the top half in their first season back in the top flight after promotion.

Unsurprisingly, his excellent form has led to links with other clubs.

"The key thing about Sunderland is they are a proper team in the real sense of the word," Taylor told BBC Radio Newcastle. "They will suffer for each other, fight for each other and sacrifice things for each other.

"Off the pitch, they have a great spirit and atmosphere.

"He [Roefs] is still so young. I think he would benefit from staying there for another couple of years and getting all those games and all that experience.

"He could easily be on the bench somewhere and things could slip. Look at Illan Meslier at Leeds - he has slipped down to third choice now and at one point he was tipped to be France's number one. You've got to be careful what you wish for.

"But Sunderland, at this stage, will need to trade and I'm sure we will see one or two players, like it or not, probably moving on this summer. It is up to Florent Ghisolfi as to how he replaces them and whether he can be as clever as he was last summer."

Taylor and former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini also spoke about the balance between the Black Cats being able to offer regular football to potential transfer targets, while also being a possible "stepping stone" to another club if they are successful at Sunderland.

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above