Sunderland AFC news: Cats prepare for key meeting, Blackburn-linked Jon McLaughlin future discussed plus former flop released by Salford

There is a real divide between clubs, with six - including Sunderland - keen for the season to restart when safe, while others are in favour of it being cancelled and promotion and relegation issues decided via a points-per-game formula.

Clubs held a meeting with the EFL on Friday and another conference call is scheduled for Monday, at which the position may become clearer.

Meanwhile, No1 keeper Jon McLaughlin has again been strongly linked with a summer switch to Blackburn Rovers.

The Sunderland keeper is one of 12 players soon-to-be out of contract and talks have stalled, with the club up for sale plus the uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic and when football will resume.

Sun journalist Alan Nixon claimed on Twitter Rovers were closing in on a deal.

And finally Darron Gibson is one of 11 players released by Salford following the end of the League Two season.

Clubs in the bottom tier signalled their intention to end the campaign on Friday and Salford are already looking to next season.

Former Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Gibson, 32, played just four times for the club during their maiden Football League season.

Graham Alexander's side have finished in mid-table after the division was decided on points-per-game.

Gibson left Sunderland by mutual consent in March 2018 ahead of a court case at which he pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving.