Sunderland AFC news: Portsmouth winger delivers Cats verdict as former midfielder recalls Roy Keane spell

League leaders Coventry beat the Black Cats 1-0 and are five points ahead of third-place Pompey.

Just eight points separate the top eight sides in the third tier, yet Evans believes his side are well placed to win automatic promotion.

“I watched the Coventry v Sunderland game on Sunday and I wasn’t blown away by either of those sides,” said Evans.

“We feel we’re as good as anyone in this league and the automatic promotion places are there for us.

“It may well be it’s the play-offs, but I really don’t see why we can’t get into the automatic places.’

Ex-Sunderland man praises Roy Keane

Former Sunderland midfielder David Meyler has been talking about his time on Wearside and working with Roy Keane.

Meyler, who has now retired, joined the Black Cats from Cork City as a teenager in 2008 but made just 31 appearances for the club.

But despite his lack of game time, the Republic of Ireland international praised Keane when commenting on their time working together.

“It was surreal, I’d grown up in Cork watching this fella play football, thinking I want to be like him,”Meyler told The 42.

“He’s pretty modest in the way he speaks about himself as a player, but he was exceptional in everything he did — his passing, his desire, his work rate, his effort.

“The chance to work with him, I felt he could improve me even if I could take a bit out of him, even from the time I was with Ireland. He was very good to me and I owe him a lot for the majority of things I achieved in my career.”

Southend tickets go on sale

Finally, tickets for Sunderland’s trip to Southend went on sale on Thursday morning.

The Black Cats received 2,464 away tickets for the game at Roots Hall which is scheduled for Saturday 28 March (3pm kick-off).

Supporters have been advised the date of the fixture could change due to international matches.