Sunderland hero backs Phil Parkinson to lead the club to promotion - if he can address this one key area

The Black Cats’ promotion hopes were dashed last season after the League One campaign was curtailed, leaving the club to spend a third year in the third tier.

But club hero Edwards believes that more positive days may not be too far away as the 2020/21 campaign approaches.

"I think Sunderland have every opportunity and every chance to go up,” he said, speaking to The Echo.

"It's easy for us to say it, but the boys have to do it week in, week out and establish themselves as a powerhouse once more.

"I'm just hoping that he has the players he needs and once that team starts gelling, I think that the glory days are not too far away."

Edwards, however, says that Sunderland will need to address their home form if they are to seal a return to the Championship.

While the Black Cats were only beaten once at the Stadium of Light in the league last season, they dropped points on a further eight occasions – and Edwards has now called on Phil Parkinson’s side to bring back the fear factor for visiting teams.

"It doesn't matter who, when any team comes to the Stadium of Light it's a big scalp for them to get,” he added.

"You come into the Stadium of Light, and you want to beat Sunderland - and once that happens other teams think they can do it too.

"But once Sunderland stamp their authority on it and say 'you're going to have a nightmare every time you come to our stadium and you aren't just going to take the food from our table', it changes.

"When I was there, good teams would come to the stadium and would be very intimidated.

"It may take time, but I hope it's this season coming and I believe in the boys that it will happen."