Sunderland duo Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford to be honoured

The club’s 14-goal top scorer will collect the North-East Football Writers’ Player of the Year gong on Sunday night, with England Under-21 international Pickford collecting the Young Player of the Year.

Completing the Wearside flavour, England skipper Steph Houghton, from South Hetton, was the Women’s Player of the Year.

Defoe, who bagged a brace in the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, has once again been in scintillating form for Sunderland this season.

The 34-year-old becomes the 37th winner of the North East writers’ award, and follows former Sunderland strikers Darren Bent, Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn and Marco Gabbiadini.

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson was second and Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles third.

Defoe and Pickford will be presented with their awards at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.

Other presentations on the night will include Houghton, promoted Middlesbrough, Darlington and Spennymoor and FA Vase winners Morpeth Town.

The night, which raises funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, will also feature a tribute to former chairman, Mail on Sunday writer Bob Cass who died recently after a battle against cancer.