With the January transfer window well underway, and with rumours and speculation flying around all over the place, the next weeks promise to be intriguing for Sunderland and their supporters.
But while most of the attention will be trained on possible incoming signings at the Stadium of Light, there are also a number of unanswered questions over the future of several members of Regis Le Bris’ squad. While some are fringe players who could likely use a change of scene to kick start their careers, others are key figures who the Black Cats will be desperate to keep around.
With that in mind, who is likely to leave, and who should be sticking around for a while longer? We’ve taken a closer look at Sunderland’s squad below...

5. Joe Anderson - Could Leave
Ostensibly, Anderson was signed for the first team on Wearside, but he has dropped a long way out of contention, and is now a mainstay of the U21s. For a 23-year-old, that is far from ideal, and you would have to suspect that Sunderland would be open to either sending him out on loan - like they did last season - or selling him altogether. | Getty Images

6. Harrison Jones - Could Leave
The U21s captain made his first senior start for Sunderland at the weekend, in a landmark moment for his fledgling career. Jones only just put pen to paper on a fresh contract extension recently, but the understanding is that Sunderland would ideally like to find a suitable loan for him so that he can test his mettle between now and the end of the season. Lower league clubs should be lining up for the opportunity to sign him, if they have any sense. That being said, reports on Teesside have already suggested that Hartlepool United will not be in the running for his services. | Frank Reid

7. Adil Aouchiche - Could Leave
It wasn’t so long ago that this looked clear cut; Aouchiche was an outcast, and his exit seemed fairly assured. Now, however, after a run of eye-catching performances necessitated by a mini injury crisis on Wearside, the Frenchman is beginning to feel like a valuable asset once more. Once again, he was handed a start against Stoke City at the weekend, and once again, he looked good value for his inclusion. Of course, his place in the pecking order could be diminished once Le Bris has a full contingent at his disposal again, and if that is the case then it would be hard to justify keeping him around to wallow in the reserves, but for the first time in a long time, there is at least an air of doubt surrounding Aouchiche’s future. | Frank Reid

8. Jobe Bellingham - Should Stay
Bellingham is obviously the subject of heavy and widespread interest this January, and if a ludicrous bid comes in from a Premier League or continental giant then Sunderland’s resolve will be tested. But because the midfielder only signed a fresh deal over the summer, the Black Cats find themselves in a position of relative strength at the negotiating table, and if they see fit to keep the teenager around, then they should be able to do so. Furthermore, recent reports have suggested that Bellingham himself is intent on sticking around for a while longer, although it remains to be seen whether that is still the case come the summer... | Getty Images