Black Cats need promotion to keep young stars

FORMER Sunderland forward Don Goodman has predicted an exodus of key talent if Sunderland do not make it to the Premier League.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

The Black Cats will contest the Championship play-offs and must try to find momentum going into them having dropped off in the last two matches.

A 0-0 draw at Norwich City with little energy, invention or threat was followed by Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Swansea City.

EFL expert Goodman has stated that it will be hard for Sunderland to hold onto all of their young stars if they aren't promoted to the Premier League this season'

Sunderland have been one of the more impressive teams in the Championship this season, though their bid for automatic promotion fell away alarmingly.