Sunderland AFC news: Kevin Philips delivers promotion verdict, Accrington camp potentially unsettled ahead of Cats clash, two players linked with exits

Lee Johnson’s Black Cats are sitting in fourth position in League One and just two points off the automatic promotion places.

But ahead of the clash, there’s still plenty of news surrounding Sunderland and their third tier rivals.

Here, we round-up everything you need to know today:

Former Sunderland striker backs Black Cats for promotion

Ex-striker Kevin Phillips has backed his old club for promotion – if they can keep their star performers fit ahead of the run-in.

"I think they’re hitting form at the right time,” Phillips told Football FanCast.

“My only concern is if they were to lose Charlie [Wyke] or if he was to go off the boil, or if they were to lose [Aiden] McGeady, the two players that have been so influential in this run.

“I think defensively they’re looking fairly solid, Dion Sanderson, who has come in, has looked really strong. From what I’ve seen, they’re capable of finishing in the top-two.”

Middlesbrough target Sunderland attacking duo

Middlesbrough are keeping tabs on a double swoop for Charlie Wyke and Jordan Jones.

That’s according to Football League World, who state that a potential move for Wyke could depend on what other targets are available, while also hinging on Sunderland’s hopes of securing promotion to the Championship.

Wyke, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season and has scored 25 goals in League One so far this campaign.

Jones is on loan at the Stadium of Light from Rangers but looks set to leave Ibrox permanently in the summer.

The attacker began his career on Teesside before moving to play in Scotland.

Wednesday night‘s opponents potentially unsettled by transfer rumour

A key member of Accrington Stanley’s squad has been linked with a transfer ahead of the League One clash against Sunderland tomorrow.

Dion Charles has so far notched 17 goals for the play-off chasing Stanley and is reportedly being monitored by league-leaders Hull City.

Reports suggest Grant McCann’s Tigers have watched Charles over the course of the last twelve months, with a view to making a move this summer.

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