Crystal Palace are monitoring Sunderland striker Ross Stewart, who could leave the Championship side in the New Year, according to Keith Downie.

The Lowdown: Eight goals

Stewart, an out-and-out centre-forward, netted 26 times in League One last season and has continued to find the back of the net with ease for the Black Cats in the second tier.

The 26-year-old, labelled as “exceptional” this year by former Sunderland goalkeeper David Preece, has scored eight times in ten Championship appearances. He has missed large parts of the season with a hamstring injury but has scored three times in under 150 minutes upon his return.

The Latest: Palace interest

Sky Sports reporter Downie took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share an update on Stewart.

He said that the forward ‘could leave in January’ and named Palace as a side who were ‘monitoring’ his situation, although Middlesborough are currently ‘showing the strongest interest’.

“Middlesbrough are showing the strongest interest from a clutch of clubs wanting to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart. Stewart could leave in January with Blackburn & Stoke among a number of Champ clubs - plus Rangers - keen. PL duo Crystal Palace & Brentford also monitoring.”

The Verdict: One to watch?

It seems as if Selhurst Park is unlikely to be Stewart’s next destination at this moment in time due to Middlesborough’s interest, however, a move shouldn’t be ruled out with Palace keeping a close eye on the player.

The Scotland international could offer a new physical presence to Patrick Vieira’s attacking ranks, but he also has no Premier League experience, so a transfer could be a gamble.

His Sunderland contract expires at the end of the campaign, so it may prove to be a low-risk move financially, and possibly one to watch heading into the New Year.