Revealed! The outcast Sunderland fans surprisingly think deserves a second chance

The right-back has been a big disappointment since arriving on Wearside from Celtic last summer for a transfer fee of £2million.

Injuries have hampered his chances of making an impact at the Stadium of Light and the Wales full-back - who harbours ambitions of representing his county at Euro 2016 - was shipped out on loan to Bristol City for the second half of the campaign.

But the 24-year-old has topped an Echo poll, which asked fans to vote for the player they think deserves a second chance at Sunderland AFC.

Matthews secured 43 per cent of the poll, with Italian winger Emmanuele Giaccherini - who spent the season on loan at Bologna - a close second with 39 per cent of the public vote.

Midfield misfits Will Buckley and Liam Bridcutt didn't secure any votes, while Santiago Vergini (seven per cent), Jordi Gomez (four per cent) and Charis Mavrias (seven per cent) picked up the remaining votes.

Matthews was a surprise pick though, having failed to make a positive impression since arriving from the Scottish giants last summer.

He has caught the eye at Ashton Gate though after securing a regular run in the Bristol City first team.

It comes after manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that he would be looking to clear the deadwood from the Sunderland squad as quickly as possible this summer.

Allardyce was able to free up much-needed wages during the course of the season when he offloaded several players deemed surplus to requirements.

But while Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham are both out of contract, and Sebastian Coates has already agreed another season-long loan at Sporting Lisbon, there are several unwanted players due to return.

Vergini, Gomez, Mavrias, Matthews, Buckley and Bridcutt, plus Euro 2016-bound Giaccherini, are due back, with none thought to have a future at the club.