Sunderland handed salary cap boost as confusion over Aiden McGeady clarified

Aiden McGeady looks as if he will not count towards Sunderland's salary cap calculations this season – after confusion over what the regulations mean for out of favour players.
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The former Everton and Celtic winger has fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light and is currently training with the club’s under-23 side.

Phil Parkinson is keen to move McGeady on this summer but, should he fail to find a new club, there have been concerns over whether his wage would count towards the £2.5million Sunderland are now allowed to spend on salaries and other player-related expenditure.

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But the regulations issued to clubs – parts of which have been seen by the Echo – state that McGeady will not count towards the salary cap provided he is not named in Sunderland’s 22-man squad list.

Aiden McGeady has fallen out of favour at SunderlandAiden McGeady has fallen out of favour at Sunderland
Aiden McGeady has fallen out of favour at Sunderland

The relevant regulation reads: "The following Players shall not be considered to be a Salary Cap Player:

- any Under 21 Player;

- in respect of Relegated Clubs in its first Salary Cap Year following relegation only, any Player who is not included within the Squad List of that Club throughout that Salary Cap Year; and

- in Season 2020/21 only, any Player who is not included within the Squad List of a Club."

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It’s the final point that will affect Sunderland and McGeady.

It was the assumption of many that all contracted players over the age of 21 would automatically count towards the 22-man squad cap which has been introduced alongside the salary cap – but EFL sources have confirmed that clubs themselves are able to select which players form part of their squad list which is submitted to the league prior to the start of every season. The caveat to that is that any player omitted from the squad list cannot play in any first-team fixtures.

So provided that McGeady is not named on Sunderland’s squad list – which seems unlikely given his fall from favour under Phil Parkinson – he will not be classed as a salary cap player and therefore his wage will not contribute towards the £2.5million cap.

That represents something of a boost for Parkinson, who now has some additional financial wiggle room as he looks to add to his squad.

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The Sunderland boss is keen to add at least three more players to his squad, with centre back Arbenit Xhemajli and striker Danny Graham.

There may yet be more outgoings too, with McGeady one player who could head for pastures new.

Speaking on the wideman over the weekend, Parkinson said: “Aiden has come back and has been training with the U23s.

“I want to focus on the group that is here.

“I don't want to block the pathway of our young players. We've got some good young players and I think it is time for the Elliot Embleton’s and the Dan Neil's of this world to step up to the plate and be a part of our first-team squad.

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“Aiden trained with the U23s last week but unfortunately pulled his calf, which means he will now be unable to train for a period of time.”

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