AXE FALLS ON BLACK CATS STAFF

SUNDERLAND have made a number of staff redundant — sparking fears they are already preparing for relegation with the season less than three months old.

Sportsmail understands the workers, based on the administration side at the Stadium of Light, have been given their marching orders. While there is no official confirmation that cost-cutting measures have begun due to the club accepting they will drop out of the Premier League, staff fear that is the case. Following Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal, Sunderland, who were booed off at full-time, remain bottom of the table with just two points. Long-serving members of staff are among those who have been told they will be leaving the club. A source said: ‘It’s been ruthless and it seems to be linked to the financial situation. There has been no official confirmation of why this has happened, but the worry among staff is that the club believe there is no chance of avoiding relegation and that they have started their cost cutting early. It’s not great.’ Meanwhile, Sunderland manager David Moyes is set to serve a one-game touchline ban when his side travel to Bournemouth this weekend,

Sportsmail understands. Moyes will accept an FA charge of misconduct after he was sent off during his side’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton in the EFL Cup last Wednesday. Moyes admitted swearing at the fourth official.