'I worry for the club' - Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips hopes Stewart Donald will soon sell as he opens up on concerns

Donald put the Black Cats up for sale in January and while he has held discussions with interested parties, a buyer is yet to be found.

There has been increased scrutiny on Donald over the past few weeks with the club's finances and questions over the £20.5million parachute payment 'write off' and Juan Sartori’s role in the media spotlight.

And with a third successive season in League One growing increasingly likely, club legend Phillips is fearful over the financial implications it could have on Sunderland.

The 46-year-old told Sky Sports: “With the takeover, Stewart Donald came in with great intentions and was clear with what he wanted - promotion and then would probably look to sell the club on to make a profit, which is fine but it never happened.

“I worry for the club moving forward now of course with the club not getting out of League One. I know the budget up there - the wages are very, very high and that needs to be brought down.

“I just think this could have a huge knock-on effect for the football club in terms of the financial side of it. That is not just Sunderland but a lot of other clubs due to this virus.

“I really hope and pray the club can find a buyer, especially now with what is going on up the road - it looks like potentially Newcastle will become one of the richest clubs in the world and then Sunderland is in League One for another season."

Phillips, who scored 130 goals in 235 appearances during his time on Wearside, added: “I feel for the supporters and you’ll know cause you’ve played up there, they’re so passionate - you saw that on the Netflix documentary.

“They love their football club and live and die for it.

“I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel in the coming months. It’s going to be very, very difficult for them next season to get out of that league.”