KRISTJAAN Speakman has explained the thinking behind Sunderland's decision to send three players out on loan in the summer transfer window.

Second choice keeper Alex Bass joined Wimbledon in League Two on a season-long loan, while former Everton defender Joe Anderson has linked up with Shrewsbury in League One for the entirety of the campaign.

Sunderland then sanctioned one more loan exit on deadline day, with Elliot Embleton joining Derby for the season. The day prior to deadline day, boss Tony Mowbray had suggested Embleton - who has just returned from a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury - would stay at Sunderland because he could have a part to play.

Mowbray said: "We've had debates about Embo, whether we're going to send him out on loan because he has literally been out for eight months. My own view is that I can see him bringing something to this team.

"I've said to him that I don't see him starting straight away and if we sign another few strikers... let's see and reassess in January where we're at. I just think he's got qualities that this team could thrive off."

However, after Sunderland moved to strengthen their squad with four deadline day arrivals - three of which were attacking players - Black Cats bosses had a rethink and decided the 24-year-old would be better off playing more regularly in the coming weeks.

Explaining that decision, sporting director Speakman said: "Elliot is purely a rehab programme. He needs minutes on the grass and whether or not we can provide them we weren't 100% sure.

"When the window closes you have to make a decision. Hopefully we've made the right decision, he play loads of games and can reassess, have a look in January and decide what we'll do moving forward."

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Sunderland signed defender Anderson from Everton in January. The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on the fringes, and Speakman says the plan was always for him to go out on loan in the summer.

He said: "We felt Joe has got some real talent and upside in terms of his development of where he can get to, but to do that he needs to play games.

"It was always our plan to bring him in, settle him in with the group and find the right loan opportunities. He's currently performing at a really high level at Shrewsbury."

Bass, meanwhile, linked up with Wimbledon, with Sunderland bringing in Nathan Bishop from Manchester United as deputy for Anthony Patterson.

Speakman said: "With Alex, the number two goalkeeping spot is really difficult. There's limited opportunity to play.

"He's done really well to drive the training standards and it was the right opportunity to give him some time on the grass and for us to change over in that position."