Phil Parkinson won't rule out keeping Bailey Wright at Sunderland beyond the season

Phil Parkinson has not ruled out offering defender Bailey Wright a Sunderland contract at the end of the season.

The centre-back's season is expected to be over after he suffered ankle ligament damage at Oxford last weekend.

On loan from Bristol City, Wright had made clear his intentions to impress on Wearside and earn a permanent contract in the summer when his Robins deal expires.

And despite making just five appearances for Sunderland, the Australian made a big impression at the club, and will remain at the club until the summer, at least, to complete his rehab.

Asked about his future , and whether he could still get a permanent deal, Parkinson said: "He's damaged his ankle ligaments, so that's as good as saying he is out for the season.

"It's disappointing for him and for us. He made a good contribution, but equally, that's the pitfalls of football. You do get players injured and you've got to have the squad ready to cope with it. And I believe we've got that.

"We've made no decisions on his long-term future at the moment because there's a lot of this season left. He's going to stay with us for his rehab because he's moved up into the area, so we will have plenty of opportunities to chat with him."

Alim Ozturk is expected to start on Saturday in Wright's place, although Joel Lynch is back in training after the injury he sustained at Portsmouth.

But as for Wright, Parkinson wouldn't rule out a longer future at Sunderland, believing that by completing his rehabilitation on Wearside allows the club a good chance to monitor his recovery closely.

"Bailey is going to be around so we'll have plenty opportunities to have a chat with him in the coming months," he said.

"But at the moment we just want him to concentrate in the first few weeks, on his rehabbing to give himself every chance to make sure that ankle recovers as well as it can."

Parkinson also said that he is considering a couple of free agent defenders to potentially replace Wright until the end of the season, although how close to match fitness they were would be a big factor in that decision.