Sunderland are currently in a critical situation, and the upcoming summer appears to be important.
Sunderland appear to be at or nearing a watershed moment under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
His tenure at the club has seen its highs and lows; Sunderland has now lost their last six Championship games, including a 4-2 defeat to Southampton last time out.
The upcoming summer appears to be critical for the Black Cats, with a number of new players required and a new manager to be appointed.
But here we look at the playing staff, and at three who may well have already played their last game.
Jack Clarke may well have played his last game for Sunderland
Star man Jack Clarke is now sidelined with an ankle injury that will keep him out until at least April, so with the season concluding in May, Clarke is racing against the clock.
The 23-year-old has 15 goals and four assists in 33 Championship appearances for the Black Cats this season.
He’s been genuinely impressive and has had suitors throughout the season, so a summer move now appears certain.
And that may be the last time we see Clarke in a Sunderland shirt.
Patrick Roberts
Patrick Roberts, like Clarke, is now out due to injury.
But, like Clarke, Roberts is a player who can create that magical moment, something Sunderland supporters have witnessed on numerous times.
Though he’s 27 years old, he’s certainly well out of the age range of the players the club wants, and with no goals and a string of ailments this season, Roberts may have someone the team looks to sell this summer.
He’d undoubtedly have bidders, so a sale may be straightforward to arrange, but whether or not he plays for the club again is dependent on his present ailment; he was initially ruled out for up to five weeks last month.
Bradley Dack
Bradley Dack, another injured player, is adding to Sunderland’s troubles.
Last summer, the midfielder reconnected with former Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray and had the potential to be a very shrewd signing for the Black Cats.
And Dack has shown glimpses of the player he once was, but injury has taken a toll on the 30-year-old’s career in recent years, with Dack appearing in only 12 Championship games this season.
He is still out and does not appear to be close to returning, and with his contract expiring in the summer, Dack may have already played his final Sunderland game.
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