Luke O'Nien responds to questions over his Sunderland future amid contract uncertainty

The 26-year-old is one of a host of players out of contract at the Stadium of Light in the summer having seen a one-year option on his previous deal triggered last year.

While fans are keen to see O’Nien put pen to paper on a new contract, discussions are not understood to have begun.

National reports had suggested that Sunderland had opened talks with the former Wycombe Wanderers man last month, but head coach Lee Johnson said he wasn’t aware of any such discussions.

And when quizzed on his future, O’Nien said the decision on a new contract is one that would be made by the club.

"It's something that's out of my control,” he admitted.

"Contracts are still dealt by the club, so the focus is all about what we can control. My focus is all about just training as hard as I can, giving my all for the club and all the boys, and then come the end of the season we've just got to get that promotion.

"It's up to the club what they do.”

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is expected to be tasked with contract negotiations moving forward, albeit with input from Johnson.

And the duo are set for a busy summer given a substantial number of Sunderland's first-team squad see their current terms expire – with many decisions set to hinge on whether the club achieve promotion.

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