Sunderland have eight league games remaining this season – while the club’s recruitment team will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats were tracking several players during the January transfer window and are bound to be linked with more names in the coming months. For fun, following recent speculation, we’ve put together a possible Sunderland starting XI and bench if the rumours turn out to be true:
13. Potential squad player: Nathan Bishop
After joining Sunderland from Manchester United in the summer, Bishop has acted as back-up for Patterson this season. The 24-year-old has made just one senior appearance for Sunderland in the Carabao Cup. Photo: Sean M. Haffey
14. Potential squad player: Matty Young
The highly-rated 17-year-old has worked wonders while out on loan at Darlington this season. He may well go out on loan again next season but as it stands, Young is set to return to Sunderland this summer and may be involved during pre-season again. Photo: Ben Cuthbertson
15. Potential squad player: Alex Bass
The goalkeeper is due back at Sunderland this summer after a spell on loan with AFC Wimbledon and the Black Cats will have a decision to make over him given they now have a pool of talented stoppers to choose from. Photo: Mike Hewitt
16. Potential squad player: Charlie Cresswell
Sunderland have been linked with Cresswell during previous transfer windows, while the defender has only made five Championship appearances for Leeds this season. Photo: George Wood