Sunderland AFC transfer news LIVE: Cats-linked defender sends clear message over summer move plus play-off latest
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats will face Lincoln City over two legs for a place at Wembley, with the winners then taking on either Oxford United or Blackpool for a place in the Championship.
And while the focus will no doubt be on preparing for the first leg at Sincil Bank on May 19, transfer talk is continuing to circulate ahead of what looks set to be a busy summer window.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith a host of players out of contract and a new owner at the helm, it will be a window to watch with intrigue – and there has already been a host of transfer rumours and gossip circulating around the Stadium of Light.
We’ll have the latest from the club throughout the day, plus reaction to yesterday’s draw with Northampton Town and a look towards the play-offs.
RECAP: Sunderland AFC transfer news (10 May)
Key Events
- Sunderland will face Lincoln City in the League One play-offs.
- The Black Cats will announce ticketing details on Tuesday ahead of the home leg on May 22.
- Lee Johnson’s side have been installed as favourites for promotion through the play-offs.
Thanks for joining us today
We’re signing off for today but will be back bright and early tomorrow with all the latest SAFC news.
See you soon.
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.
A dramatic twist?
According to the Daily Mail, Derby County could yet be relegated to League One despite avoiding the drop.
The Rams drew 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the Championship, with the Owls, Wycombe and Rotherham all dropping down to League One.
The EFL brought two charges against Derby last year, claiming that the club had breached FFP rules – but an independent disciplinary commission cleared the club, meaning they avoided a serious sanction.
However, the league since appealed that decision. While some reports have today claimed that the appeals process has been settled in favour of the EFL, both the club and the league recently stated that the process was ongoing.
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.
Lee Johnson has delivered his verdict on the Northampton Town draw
The Sunderland head coach has also graded the club’s regular season campaign, while also looking ahead to the semi-final clash with Lincoln City.
Some big news from overnight...
The League One play-off final is set to be moved as Wembley prepares to host the UEFA Champions League final – according to reports.
The Times claim that the clash between Manchester City and Chelsea on Saturday, May 29 is set to be moved from Istanbul after concerns over the fact that Turkey was placed on England’s ‘red’ travel list.
This means that travellers back into the country from Turkey would be required to quarantine for ten days in a government-approved facility upon their return.
And while reports have suggested that players and staff would have been given an exemption, it is now being claimed that the final is set to be held at Wembley.
The full details on what that could mean for Sunderland and their League One rivals:
Sunderland braced for late League One play-off final twist - as game set to be MOVED
The League One play-off final is set to be moved as Wembley prepares to host the UEFA Champions League final – according to reports.
Sunderland-linked defender speaks out on interest
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Hibernian full-back Josh Doig - but he insists he is in no rush to leave Easter Road.
Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, he said:
Josh DoigI absolutely adore it here at Hibs. You can see with the likes of John McGinn … I know Hibs is a great pathway to go to higher places, but it is still a massive club in itself. I don’t think there’s a better place than Hibs to develop as a player. I know that myself as I have come on so much. Being here is good for me.