Charlie Wyke identifies key Sunderland threat squad will look to exploit over the busy festive period

Chris Maguire, who had been criticised by Phil Parkinson in the build-up to the game after being pictured at a McDonalds after the Gillingham defeat, was on corner duty and the delivery a constant threat.

Wyke volleyed home Sunderland’s equaliser from a corner routine, one of seven won by the Black Cats, and he is aiming to capitalise further on that threat over the festive break.

Wyke said: “Chris’ delivery was brilliant, I tried to get on the end of a few and hopefully I can keep doing that and getting on the end of them.

”It was disappointing to go behind so early but we fought back.

“We take the draw and hope we can build on the result.

“I hit the bar and could have had two, it was good to be playing again and get on the scoresheet.”

The Sunderland squad returns to the Academy of Light today as preparations crank up ahead of the busy festive schedule when the Black Cats return to action on Boxing Day against Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.

Wyke added: “We have had some time on the training ground over the past two weeks, the manager has showed us what he wants, and we showed a little bit [against Blackpool] of how he wants to play.”