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Jake Clarke-Salter helped the England under 20 side to World Cup glory
The 20-year-old featured in four of their matches in the summer in South Korea
Clarke-Salter is set to be loaned out by Chelsea to gain more experience
Chris Coleman's Sunderland are the favourites to sign defender this month
The Black Cats are looking for reinforcements ahead of a relegation scrap

By MATT BARLOW FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 10:43 EST, 7 January 2018 | Updated: 10:43 EST, 7 January 2018

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Chelsea defender Jake Clarke-Salter is poised to complete a loan move to Sunderland.

Clarke-Salter is strong and mobile and very highly rated at Stamford Bridge.

He starred for England in their Under-20 World Cup win and was close to joining Birmingham on loan in the summer.

Chelsea youngster Jake Clarke-Salter is set for a loan move to Sunderland this month

The central defender featured in England's group matches against Argentina - where he made his debut in a 3-0 win - and a 1-1 draw with Guinea, before appearing in the semi-final and final.

There has been lots of interest from other clubs in the Championship, including Sheffield United, but Sunderland boss Chris Coleman has convinced the 20-year-old to make the move to Wearside for a relegation scrap.

Both Coleman and his assistant Kit Symons are central defenders by trade and see Clarke-Salter in a role on the left of a back-three which is the position where Chelsea boss Antonio Conte expects him to progress at Premier League level.

The 20-year-old helped England under 20s to their World Cup success in the summer and was linked to numerous other Championship clubs such as Sheffield United and Birmingham