Sunderland’s search for a new head coach continues, with supporters facing an increasingly long wait to discover who’ll be tasked with bringing the team back into the top half of the table and beyond next season.
But planning for that campaign is already well under way, with the club’s way of operating meaning that the recruitment wheels are already starting to turn. Already, they’ve been linked with a significant number of big deals, both incomings and outgoings. So what’s the latest and how likely is it that any of them will actually happen? Here, we take you through..
5. SAM TICKLE
Tickle had an outstanding campaign at Wigan but signed a new long-term contract to put an end to any speculation regarding a summer move. You'd expect Sunderland to monitor any young, homegrown goalkeeper playing regularly should Patterson leave somewhere down the line - but they do have some fantastic academy prospects of their own and many internally believe Young will knock on the door a year or two down the line. | getty Photo: Cameron Howard
6. NATHAN BISHOP
Has signed for League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a season-long deal. Sunderland hope he'll play regularly for a team ambitious after their recent takeover, allowing all parties to be in the best position to make a decision on his long-term future as he enters the final year of his contract next summer. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
7. TRAI HUME
Hume is unsurprisingly attracting admiring glances after an excellent campaign for both club and country. One of a few in the squad where you can’t rule out an exit because a huge bid from a top-tier club could change things quickly, but as it stands he’s got a long time left to run on his contract and would surely be best served by another season of regular Championship football. Hume has made clear his ambition to play in the Premier League but has also stressed that he's very happy at the club and in no rush to leave. Sunderland see him as a key player next year and are highly unlikely to sell. Galatasaray have been linked with a £7 million move but as of yet club sources insist there's been no bid - and that it'd take well, well in excess of that to sell. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
8. DAN BALLARD
Linked with Ipswich Town earlier this summer, but their £15-million swoop for Hull City's Jacob Greaves probably brings an end to that chat. Recently linked with RC Lens and though there's scores of clubs tracking him, club sources insist there've been no approaches to themselves or player. Ballard is out for up to six weeks with an injury. He's an integral part of Sunderland's plans and it would take a huge, huge offer. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid