Sunderland are in talks to bring Jack Clarke and Nathan Broadhead back to the Stadium of Light as they prepare for life in the Championship following four years of gruel and grief in the League One penitentiary.
But Clarke and Broadhead are not the only members of Alex Neil’s promotion-securing squad who’s futures remain uncertain, just over a month before the new campaign gets underway.
Aiden McGeady, Arbenit Xhemajli, Jordan Willis, Callum Doyle and Lee Burge have gone already. As has Bayern Munich loanee Ron-Thorben Hoffmann.
Meanwhile, Bailey Wright, Lynden Gooch and Patrick Roberts – arguably the Man of the Match during May’s play-off final victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley – are yet to decide whether or not they want to sign new deals with the Black Cats, their current contracts expiring in just a few days’ time.
And that’s without mentioning the uncertainty surrounding Ross Stewart. Rangers have reportedly identified Sunderland’s talismanic top scorer as their number one striker target (Northern Echo). The chance to fight for silverware and play European football at Ibrox will certainly hold plenty of appeal as far as the Scotland international centre-forward is concerned.
Who will stay and who will leave?
Hardly ideal preparation, then, as Neil looks to build on the foundations he’s laid down since replacing Lee Johnson on the banks of the Wear. As things stand, Sunderland will have just 15 senior players on July 1.
Things change quickly in football, however, and those frowns could soon turn to smiles. Wright and Gooch are unlikely to get better offers. Wright’s form in 2022 earned him a re-call to the Australia squad ahead of the Qatar World Cup, and he may not want to risk that by embarking on a new adventure elsewhere.
What’s more, one-time Celtic star Roberts has spoken glowingly about Sunderland after a couple of years in the wilderness. Per the Northern Echo, Tottenham-owned Clarke is interested in a second spell. Everton, meanwhile, are unlikely to stand in Broadhead’s way as his contract runs down.
Speculation regarding the future of the lavishly gifted Dan Neil has gone quiet too. The similarly homegrown Jack Diamond will join Neil – and fellow academy graduate Elliot Embleton – after an outstanding campaign out on loan at Harrogate Town.
New – and old – faces at Sunderland
And while the Black Cats are yet to add any new faces to their ranks since the window opened, that could change sooner rather than later. According to The Sun, a £1 million bid for Jack Rudoni has been rejected. A talented goalscoring midfielder who tends to make perfectly-timed late runs into the penalty area in a manner reminiscent of his idol – Frank Lampard – AFC Wimbledon are unlikely to stand in Rudoni’s way if an improved offer arrives, particularly after suffering relegation to League 2.
Regan Charles-Cook, scorer of ten goals for Stewart’s former club Ross County last term, is an affordable back-up if deals for Roberts or Clarke hit the buffers. He will be a free-agent next month (Football Scotland). Ditto John Ruddy, the former England and Wolves ‘keeper. 35-year-old Ruddy would offer some much-needed experience on and off the pitch, while acting as a mentor for the promising but wet-behind-the-ears Anthony Patterson. He also played under Neil at Norwich City (Echo).
Sanderson and Parrott are targets
One-time fans’ favourite Dion Sanderson may also return, say the Daily Mail, with Wolves open to offers. Sunderland director Kristjaan Speakman is a huge admirer of the versatile defender, who can play in a back three or a back four.
Another former player – ex-trainee Alex Gorrin – won’t be returning after signing a new deal at Oxford United. But, in Jay Matete, Corry Evans and Luke O’Nien, plus the adaptable Carl Winchester, Sunderland are hardly short of options in defensive midfield..
And, should Rudoni arrive, he will compete with Alex Pritchard, Elliot Embleton, Neil and Diamond for a place in Neil’s XI too. According to the Echo, Troy Parrott is an option to either join or replace Stewart in attack. And though the talented Republic of Ireland international wants to fight for a place at parent club Spurs, another spell in the EFL – at a higher level – feels like a more viable next step in his development.
There is a lot of work to be done, a lot of questions to be answered. But this Sunderland side should be in a far better shape when the whistle blows in six weeks’ time.
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