NEWS FLASH: Following a return from injury, the Sunderland young player may be ready for a first-team opportunity under Mike Dodds

Tommy Watson is likely to return to the first-team fold for the closing stages of the season after making his comeback from a hamstring problem on Monday.

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Sunderland have put season passes for next season on sale already

Sunderland’s season tickets are on sale for next season and you have to applaud the timing given the announcement of a Stadium of Light upgrade in the summer. “We continue to honour our long-standing commitment of making football on Wearside affordable for all,” was the message and with understandable but modest increases it appears they are keeping to their promise.

More than any other club, Sunderland embodies that sense of identity and pride with the city and fans will be delighted to hear of the proposed changes to the stadium as the matchday experience is improved. The atmosphere might be better next season too given safe standing is being introduced but that will depend on what is served up on the pitch.

‘A way of life’ is how Sunderland have badged the season tickets. And pricing the tickets as they have, they are allowing that to continue for the majority of supporters and there was an early clamour for renewals this week which is a sign things are on the right track.

What is interesting is the supporters showing faith in the club at a time when the results have been dire.
There have been six defeats in a row followed by a drab 0-0 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers in which the football was as entertaining as watching dried paint begin to fade on your kitchen wall.

This season has been a turbulent one, with the sacking of Tony Mowbray and results good up to the turn of the year, only for fortunes and opinion to plummet under Michael Beale where the atmosphere became toxic. There is a huge irony in the last Sunderland victory coming in the reign of Beale – the 3-1 home success against Plymouth Argyle on February 10.

Interim head coach Mike Dodds is yet to win a game in his latest spell in charge, having overseen four defeats and that bore draw,
Injuries have hit hard with 10 senior players unavailable for the QPR match including two of the brightest sparks, Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts. There is positive news though with Corry Evans and Bradley Dack in contention for places when the Black Cats head to Cardiff City next Friday.