CHRIS Mepham is reportedly headed to Sunderland for a medical ahead of a proposed loan deal.

The Welsh centre-back is up in the north east for the tests, after dropping down the pecking order at Cherries.

He has made 121 appearances for AFC Bournemouth, with 46 in the Championship and 61 in the Premier League, after joining the club from Brentford in 2019.

Mepham has made 36 appearances for the Wales national team.

Asked about his place in the Bournemouth squad, Andoni Iraola said this morning: “He had an injury after the pre-season after he played against Wrexham, I think, and has been recently training with us.

“[On a potential transfer] With Meps, I cannot guarantee you. If you ask me this about Neto yesterday, I would have said no, you know, I don't know what's going to happen.

“Things happen today. It's a very strange day.

“So I think we have to just wait 24 hours, see what happens.

“From there you can ask me tomorrow and I answer you what has happened and what I think, whatever.

“But now maybe I tell you one thing and they call me in 20 minutes and they say this is happening.

“So I don't want to be too strict.”