Whilst anything can happen in the Championship, it looks like the Wearside outfit will need to regroup and focus on strengthening the club in the summer, although that will be hard with one of their best players likely to leave.

Jack Clarke looks likely to leave Sunderland in the summer

After having his best season so far in club football, Jack Clarke has attracted interest from a number of clubs from England and in Europe.

West Ham and Lazio were linked with a £20 million move for the forward in January, although no transfer materialised for the former Tottenham Hotspur attacker.

Clarke has impressed in a Sunderland side that has seen much upheaval this season.

ando Amad DWith key players like Ross Stewart iall leaving the club in the summer, the burden for goals has fallen on the winger’s shoulders, and he has taken his new responsibility in his stride.

And with 15 goals scored and four assists notched in the league, Clarke has taken on his new starring role very well indeed, but there is only so much he can do to help Sunderland’s play-off aspirations by himself.

After his agent Ian Harte claimed recently that he hopes Clarke is sold in the summer, it looks more and more likely that this will be the final year he spends at the Stadium of Light.

The club have even reportedly resigned themselves to losing him in the summer, despite the forward having two years left on his contract.

Replacing his goals will be a huge ask, especially with the club also searching for a new manager for the summer onwards after sacking Mick Beale after just 12 matches in charge.

However, Sunderland could target a League One star that they have been previously linked with in recent months to come in for Clarke with the money that is made.