Sunderland AFC news RECAP: Play-off ticket details announced plus Cats take West Brom winger on trial

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The Black Cats will welcome up to 10,000 fans for the home leg of the tie which will be played on Saturday, May 22.

On the injury front, striker Ross Stewart is a doubt for the play-offs, yet Sunderland boss Lee Johnson hopes the forward can play a part.

Here’s the latest news, transfer talk and more from the Stadium of Light.

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RECAP: Sunderland AFC transfer news (11 May)

Key Events

Sunderland will face Lincoln City in the League One play-offs.
The Black Cats are set to announce ticketing details today ahead of the home leg on May 22.
Striker Ross Stewart is a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury but could still play a part.
Sunderland and Lincoln have announced ticket details as they prepare to welcome fans back for the play-off semi-final.

Mon, 10 May, 2021, 17:17 BST

Flanagan and Vokins step up recovery

Sunderland’s under-23 side have secured a place in the Premier League 2 play-offs after a 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

The club’s fifth-placed finish tops off a remarkable turnaround after they finished the 2019/20 campaign with just a single point to their name following the season being curtailed.

While the game was already a crucial one for the Black Cats, so too did it offer the chance for some first-team players to gain some vital minutes.

Tom Flanagan and Jake Vokins were both involved for Sunderland’s second string as they stepped-up their injury returns ahead of the play-offs. For Flanagan it was a first appearance since the Papa John’s Trophy final, while Vokins was making his third straight appearance for Elliott Dickman’s side.

Josh Hawkes scored the equaliser for the Black Cats five minutes from time.

Mon, 10 May, 2021, 17:14 BST

Injury latest

Ross Stewart is a doubt for Sunderland’s play-off semi final first leg with a hamstring injury.

Stewart had scored his second goal for the Black Cats at Home Park last weekend, and delivered his best performance yet as a Sunderland player in the 3-1 win.

It has therefore come as a significant setback for the Scot that he has suffered a grade two hamstring tear.

Head coach Lee Johnson is encouraged by the 24-year-old’s recovery to date, and has therefore not yet ruled him out of the game at Sincil Bank.

Mon, 10 May, 2021, 17:13 BSTUpdated 17:13 BST

Play-off details

Sunderland are set to announce ticket details for the play-off semi-final against Lincoln today after meeting with the local safety advisory group.

The government roadmap out of lockdown states that crowds of up to 10,000 or 25 per cent of a stadium’s capacity (whichever is lowest) can be accommodated from May 17.

That means that up to 10,000 Sunderland fans could be present for the home leg of the semi-final. It remains to be seen whether away fans will be permitted to attend, with the Premier League having denied travelling fans permission to attend their final fixtures.

The second leg against Lincoln will take place at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, May 22 (3pm kick-off).