Sunderland's frustrations at senior level are impacting on a promising group of youngsters who are hoping to get out on loan before tonight's deadline.
Several of the team who finished 2nd in the Under-21 league last season are wanted by Football League clubs and believe they would benefit from a season in the professional ranks.
However, David Moyes cannot sanction these moves given how short he is.
That could mean another year on the fringes and in the Under-23s for what are a talented crop of academy graduates.