Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Fallout from Lincoln City as young Cats goalkeeper on trial at Birmingham City

Kevin Phillips delivers Aiden McGeady contract verdict 

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has delivered his verdict on the situation regarding Aiden McGeady.

The former Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season.

Indeed, there a rumours circulating that McGeady waived a clause on his contract which would have seen the deal extended when after starting against Lincoln City in the second leg

“I would say wages will be a decisive factor,” Phillips told Football Insider.

“They will want to try and keep McGeady at the club so I think they’ll make him an offer.

“They need to keep their best players if they want to go one better next season. He is one of the best in the division so it’s no surprise that there is Championship clubs sniffing around him.

“He showed his quality against yesterday. Whenever he gets the ball you’re on the edge of your seat. Whether it is a cross, a shot, he always does something.

“His future will boil down to finances and the player himself. Does he think now is the time to move on?”

Oxford manager Karl Robinson speaks out on reports linking him with West Brom

Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has played down rumours linking him with the manager’s job at West Bromwich Albion.

Former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce announced his departure from the relegated club last week.

Robinson added: “It’s probably because me and Sam worked together for two years.

“I don’t really have the energy to talk about any other job.

“I’ve got a long-term contract here.”

West Ham and Crystal Palace have reportedly entered the race to sign Josh Hawkes.

TeamTALK states that the Premier League duo are lining in-demand Sunderland academy prospect for a summer transfer.

It was also reported that Leeds United and Newcastle United were interested in the former Hartlepool attacker a year ago.

Indeed, the same outlet claims that both Whites and Magpies are still interested in pursuing a deal for the 22-year-old.

Hawkes is yet to make his first-team debut despite an impressive run in the Black Cats’ U23’s team.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson was confronted by a small group of fans following his side’s defeat in the play-offs.

The Black Cats went into the second leg of the semi-final 2-0 down after the first-leg at Sincil Bank.

First-half goals from Ross Stewart and Charlie Wyke evened the tie with the aggregate score level at 2-2.

But a disappointing second half saw Lincoln City score to cement The Imps’ place in the League One play-off final at Wembley and consign Sunderland to a fourth straight season in the third tier.

And after the game, Johnson was confronted by a small group of Sunderland fans as he exited the Stadium of Light, with footage of the exchange surfacing on Twitter.

Fans could be heard voicing their displeasure to Johnson, with supporters frustrated after another failed promotion attempt by the club.

Sunderland head coach Johnson had praised supporters post-match in his press conference for the atmosphere they generated, with 10,000 inside the Stadium of Light.

He said: “It’s a sad day because you do build a rapport with these players, but the club has also showed today the potential power we’ve got – the pressing game we played in the first half, the attitude from the fans to get our pressing game going.

“That as 10,000, I can’t wait to see what it’s like when there’s 42,000 in there. I thought the boys gave everything, and that’s obviously a minimum standard, and we played well on the day too,” added the Sunderland head coach.