Sunderland AFC transfer news RECAP: Lee Johnson press conference plus Aiden McGeady update Black Cats prepare for Lincoln City second leg

“It’s all good. I certainly had the option to start McGeady from the start in every game and that will continue to happen so McGeady is available to start the next game.”

“He was on the bench, we didn’t bring him on because really who was there to take off at that point? We had committed to Ross Stewart up top and Goochy on the right, I suppose the last five minutes there was an option to bring on Jack Diamond or Chris Maguire so that was something that was considered.

“We know Chris is a good player, we know what he can do and he’s up for selection. He’s a great lad and no falling out at all.”

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton has confirmed emergency loan signing Josef Bursik won’t be involved for Lincoln tomorrow’s game against Sunderland.

Alex Palmer missed the first leg after suffering a concussion in training but will start in goal at the Stadium of Light.

Lee Johnson will hold his pre-match press conference at 1pm today.

We’ll have live updates on today’s blog.

Aiden McGeady’s Sunderland future is in the spotlight on the eve of the play-off semi-final second leg against Lincoln City.

cGeady was the subject of reports overnight suggesting his involvement in Saturday’s play-off game is in doubt because he has a clause in his current deal which entitles him to a 12-month extension if he starts 30 league games.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, McGeady has started 29 but there is uncertainty over whether Sunderland want to commit to another deal given they don’t yet know which division they will be in next season, with the winger the highest earner.

Discussions over potential solutions are said to have taken place but as things stand it remains unresolved, report the Chronicle.

McGeady has previously said he is keen to extend his stay at Sunderland – with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Read more HERE

The Black Cats fell to a 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City in the first leg of their semi-final clash on Wednesday evening, leaving Lee Johnson’s side with an uphill battle ahead of the return leg at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Having been favourites to win the play-offs prior to the first round of fixtures, Sunderland’s odds have lengthened following their reverse at Sincil Bank – but not by as much as you perhaps would think.

Unsurprisingly, it’s now Blackpool who are favourites to win at Wembley and seal a spot in the Championship.

Lincoln City aren’t too far behind, with Sunderland and Oxford United considered outsiders.

But despite facing a very tricky task in the remaining 90 minutes of their semi-final, Sunderland can still be backed at 6/1 to achieve promotion this season.

Here are the odds in full, courtesy of Sky Bet:

Blackpool – 10/11

Lincoln City – 11/8

Sunderland – 6/1

Oxford United – 66/1

And the Lincoln boss has also revealed how his side are planning on approaching the return fixture at the Stadium of Light.

“We’ll go there and try and win the game,” he said.

“If we go there and try and get a draw, we’ll end up doing what we did for 20 minutes after we took the lead, defending on the edge of our box and allowing them to put balls in the box.

“That definitely won’t be the mindset. We’ll try and be a bit more possession based, like we were in the first half, and try to win the game.”

READ HIS FULL THOUGHTS HERE