By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Jan, 2023 | 7:30am

Joe Gelhardt: Leeds United striker undergoing Sunderland medical this morning - Sources

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt is undergoing a Sunderland medical on Friday morning, sources have told Football Insider.

The north-east giants have won the race to sign the striker, 20, on loan for the rest of the season ahead of Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers.

Gelhardt had offers on the table from five Championship clubs and has opted to head to Sunderland.

He will finalise the move with a medical on Friday morning (27 January) and the deal is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.

Leeds have allowed to Gelhardt to exit temporarily this month following the club-record signing of striker Georginio Rutter.

Rutter, who is yet to feature for the Whites, cost Jesse Marsch’s side a reported £35.5m fee – a new club record.

Gelhardt has made four starts for Leeds United this season – but just one has come in the Premier League.

The ex-Wigan star has made 17 appearances totalling just 390 minutes this season.

He managed two goals and four assists last term (2021-22) as Leeds United staved off the threat of relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season.

Gelhardt, who is capped by England at Under-20 level, signed a new five-year Elland Road contract last summer (2022) alongside fellow youth products Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville.

Leeds United sit 15th in the Premier League ahead of their next top-flight game against Nottingham Forest on 5 Feburary.

Meanwhile, Sunderland are firmly in the race for a play-off berth despite sitting ninth in the Championship.

They have lost striker Ellis Simms already this window after he was recalled by struggling Everton.

The Black Cats are just three points short of third place ahead of their next league outing against Millwall.

In In other news, Football Insider updates as Leeds United defender undergoes Championship medical after deal agreed.