---
title: "Sunderland: James Hunter reacts to Ellis Simms’ return to Everton"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-championship-ellis-simms-james-hunter-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2023-01-01T09:15:13Z"
modified: "2023-01-01T09:15:13Z"
---

# Sunderland: James Hunter reacts to Ellis Simms’ return to Everton

**[Sunderland](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-afc-news/) have been dealt a ‘big blow’ with the news that loanee Ellis Simms is returning to Everton as soon as the transfer window opens.**

### The Lowdown: Simms impresses for Sunderland

The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats during the summer transfer window and he has made a big impression during the first half of this season.

Simms has [scored seven goals](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/396483/Show/Ellis-Simms) in 14 [Championship](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship-news/) starts, also registering two assists, with pundit Lee Hendrie [describing](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sky-sports-pundit-singles-sunderland-star-out-for-praise-against-millwall-3941395) him as ‘brilliant’ last month.

There have been strong rumours of the youngster returning to Everton, however, with Frank Lampard lacking options in his struggling squad.

### The Latest: Everton return confirmed

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JHunterChron/status/1609135186502995975?s=20&t=lllPILYgy3Fs1ZmresxvTw) on New Year’s Eve, Hunter confirmed that Simms is heading back to Goodison Park, and the reporter was seemingly gutted by the news:

> “It’s official. Big blow for #safc, Ellis Simms has been excellent in the first half of the season – despite his injury.”

[Everton news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-8/)

### The Verdict: Huge blow for Black Cats

There is no denying that this is a massive worry for the Black Cats, with Simms such an influential performer this season – [only Ross Stwart](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/16/Show/England-Sunderland) has outscored him in the league, and he himself has been [linked](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/ross-stewart-transfer-latest-update-shared-with-crystal-palace-stoke-and-brentford-interested-3968717) with an exit.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410551″\]

It has the potential to have a major impact on Tony Mowbray’s side’s promotion chances and it is imperative that they sign a tailor-made replacement in the January transfer window to make up for his exit.

Sunderland could find it tough to sign a loanee who has as much of an impact but it would be negligent not to bring in someone to fill the Simms-shaped void.