And that is likely to increase the opportunity for England Under 21 international Connor Wickham to get playing time.
Gus Poyet: “I hope Connor is ready.
“He’s maybe not expecting to play but he must realise that he could be called on to play a big part for us.
“He needs to be prepared and I hope he is because the way things are in the last few weeks, it has been a pleasure playing for Sunderland.”
