Where the 13 Sunderland players with uncertain futures stand ahead of crucial ten games and key summer decisions

Though the situation is not ideal, it is also not particularly unusual at this level where contracts are run down far more regularly.

Still, there are some key assets with uncertain futures and that has understandably raised concerns for supporters.

The issue, as Parkinson explained, is uncertainty over Sunderland’s league status, and the respective budgets that entails.

Further complicating the picture is of course the uncertainty over who will own the football club beyond this season. Parkinson’s plan is to discuss the issue with Stewart Donald and Richard Hill, making decisions with two budgets in mind so that the club are prepared for when final calls are needed to be made.

Here, we run through where they players in question stand….

JON McLAUGHLIN

The biggest concern for Sunderland supporters is the future of the goalkeeper who aside from one tricky spell this season, has been consistently excellent since his arrival.

Stewart Donald had moved to secure his future last summer, but then implied that McLaughlin’s agent had made ‘unrealistic’ demands.

It had been a coup for the club to land McLaughlin after a successful season at Hearts, but he was outstanding last season and an absolutely central figure in the squad.

Donald vowed to return to the issue in the autumn, but at the turn of the year McLaughlin said there had been no resumption to talks.

Having recaptured his best form, clubs will be watching his situation develop with interest.

McLaughlin has used the free agent market well in the past, but has said that he now wants stability and the chance to put down roots on Wearside.

It’s an uneasy impasse for fans who know just what an asset he is.

Jack Ross always had four words to describe McLaughlin: “High quality, low maintenance.”

There aren’t too many in that category.

LUKE O’NIEN

O’Nien has been a major success and after adjusting to life in the North East, he quickly became one of Jack Ross’ go-to players.

Championship clubs wanted to sign him as a full-back last summer and under Parkinson he has continued that rise, an energetic presence often drawing praise from opposition managers.

Fresh terms may be advisable in the future to secure his long-term future, but for now, the club are protected by an automatic, year-long extension that is believed to have already been activated.

O’Nien himself could not have been clearer that he has no intention of going anywhere else.

ALIM OZTURK

Ozturk looked out of the picture when Parkinson arrived, but quickly impressed with his attitude and consistency in training.

A key moment came when he battled through the pain barrier to help his manager out in the FA Cup, and his return to the side in League One brought some typically steady defensive displays.

It was, in the manager’s own words, a ‘very, very tough’ call to drop him in favour of Bailey Wright.

Since Wright’s injury he has made another successful return, and the ten game run-in gives him a platform to prove his qualities once and for all.

That ruthless decision to take him out of the side earlier this year suggests he still has some work to do in Parkinson’s eyes.

TOM FLANAGAN

It took Flanagan some time to establish himself under Parkinson but for the most part, he has been one of the most improved players since the manager’s arrival.

Particularly in games at the Stadium of Light, the manager has spoken glowingly about the way he has brought the ball out from the back and the tempo with which he has brought Denver Hume and Lynden Gooch into the game.

The defender has put himself in a good position ahead of the run-in.

JOEL LYNCH

Lynch has not been in the side of late as he recovers from that collision with Jon McLaughlin at Portsmouth, but his return to the bench last weekend was a sign of the faith Parkinson has in him.

Early in his tenure, Parkinson said the centre-back had experienced some issues settling in at the club and in a new area, but he went on to be a regular and dependable figure in his defence.

He will push hard for a place in the side and looking forward, has extensive Championship experience.

After arriving at the club, he spoke of turning down lucrative offers in the summer to wait for an opportunity like this one.

Key for him was the chance to be part of memorable campaigns after a lot of seasons spent in good sides, but ones mostly in mid-table.

He spoke of hoping to play in the Championship at a club of this size.

It’s not known whether the year-long deal he signed has the option of an extension in the event of promotion.

BAILEY WRIGHT

Wright signed on loan until the end of the season, but the glowing tributes from Bristol City strongly suggested that his contract up in the summer, they did not expect him to be part of their squad next season.

After suffering a serious ankle injury that is likely to end his season, Parkinson confirmed that he had been brought into the club with a view to potentially signing a longer-term deal at the end of the current campaign.

He has stayed at Sunderland for his rehab, having relocated to the area.

Promotion to the Championship would make the conversation around a new deal much easier and for his part, Wright himself has said that he would like the opportunity to stay for an extended period.

Even in a brief spell in the team, his quality and maturity as a defender was evident and it was telling that he was the one January signing to quickly fight his way into the team and stay there.

TOMMY SMITH

Smith is still waiting for his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt.

Parkinson had initially considered bringing him in when Lynch suffered that injury at Fratton Park, but opted against it when it became clear he would be back within weeks.

The Black Cats boss moved again when Wright’s season was all but ended, eager to ensure another injury did not leave him exposed.

Smith moved to push for a place on arrival but was also clear that he knew a big part of his role would be bringing experience and competition to the group on a daily basis.

JACK BALDWIN

Baldwin had moved to Salford City on deadline day last summer after the arrival of Joel Lynch had left him fifth choice under Jack Ross.

Ross had told the defender he was happy for him to stay, and he has excelled at Burnley in the Carabao Cup, but it was clear that he was not a central part of his plans as the manager tried to improve his side’s defensive structure from last season.

Parkinson had the option to recall him in January but instead brought in Bailey Wright.

Baldwin had struggled with injury in the first half of the campaign but has recently had a lot more football, interestingly playing predominantly in central midfield.

The recent arrival of Darron Gibson has increased competition further.

Having paid a fee to sign him in the summer of 2018, Sunderland are believed to have the option to extend his deal for another year.

At this stage, that seems unlikely to happen under Parkinson.

ETHAN ROBSON

Parkinson had been impressed with Robson on his return in January, but the midfielder had ultimately been set to go back to Grimsby in the late stages of the window.

Circumstances altered that and a thigh injury prevented the 23-year-old making an immediate push for inclusion in the matchday squad.

He is back in training now, but this summer looks like being a big moment for a player with the talent and attitude to succeed, but one who needs trust and regular action to make good on that potential.

JOSH SCOWEN

It has been a significant surprise to all, perhaps even Parkinson himself, that Scowen’s Sunderland career has so far been limited to just two substitute appearances.

Scowen was Parkinson’s top midfield target heading into the January window and his pedigree at this level made him seem like an immediate option to come into the side.

For his part, Parkinson has praised George Dobson for his response to Scowen’s arrival.

Dobson remains one booking away from a two-game ban, though the slate will be wiped clean after the trip to Blackpool next weekend.

Scowen is a player rated very highly and is certain to have a play at some stage this season.

He is contracted until the end of the season but is likely to extend in the case of promotion to the Championship, and has spoken of how content he is to have relocated.

DUNCAN WATMORE

Watmore has said previously that any talk of his future can wait for another day.

The focus this season has been purely on fitness and for a little while, he has been in a slightly curious position.

He is frustrated with a lack of match action and has been in regular dialogue with Parkinson, ultimately accepting that those in the side have done little wrong to warrant a change.

Yet he is enjoying his longest injury-free spell in some time and has found a way to be involved in some crucial goals, most notably in two vital late equalisers against Fleetwood.

He is in a unique position in currently being on a contract agreed in the Premier League era.

Of course, that is now significantly reduced, but both club and player will have decisions to make and much to weigh up come the summer.

KYLE LAFFERTY

Lafferty had options to move abroad in January but the chance to play for a club of this stature was the perfect platform to prove himself ahead of big calls at both domestic and international level.

He has had an interesting time on Wearside so far, effective in his substitute appearances so far but without the gametime to truly prove his worth.

CHRIS MAGUIRE

Maguire has made clear that he wants to stay at Sunderland beyond the end of the current campaign.

He has been a major part of Parkinson’s side, and the Black Cats boss has been pleased with the way he has responded to the challenges set.

Parkinson and physical performance coach Nick Allamby set down the gauntlet to Maguire in a meeting with his agent, and his output since then has been excellent.

Crucially, he is another player whereby there is the option to extend for another year.

At the moment, he is well on the way to making that a relatively easy decision.