'He needs to move on' - Sunderland fans have this strong transfer message for Will Grigg as he returns from MK Dons loan spell

As part of our Big SAFC Survey we asked readers whether they thought Grigg could still have a future at Sunderland ahead of his return from a loan spell at MK Dons

And a whopping 86.3% felt it was time for him to move on. Just 13.7% of the 1,350 readers that took part in the survey felt he would come good for Sunderland next season.

Speaking last month Grigg said his loan spell at MK Dons had helped to rejuvenate his career.

The striker netted eight times for the Dons after making the January move to Stadium MK having fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light – and says it was pleasing to ‘prove a few people wrong’ during his loan deal.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson may yet sanction another exit for the striker, who joined the Black Cats in January 2019 after a high-profile pursuit.

However, it is highly unlikely that the side will recoup the seven-figure fee they spent on Grigg to prise him away from Wigan Athletic.

"Definitely, yeah,” he said, when asked by iFollow Mk Dons if the move had rejuvenated him.

“I never fell out of love with the game because I love it. I love training and every day of it, but you go through spells and through times that are really tough.

"It has been tough for myself, I haven’t had a great couple of years, but that’s not out of wanting to try or wanting to get better.

"I’ve tried to do loads of things in the gym and off the pitch to try and get myself fit because when you’re not playing games it’s difficult."

Sunderland released seven first team players as part of their retained list with another major rebuild on the cards this summer on Wearside.

Sunderland have now failed to win promotion three years on the spin in League One and will need to maintain a sustained promotion push in 2021-22.

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