Where do stars with uncertain futures stand on Wearside?
absolutely central figure in the squad.
Donald vowed to return to the issue in the autumn, but at the turn of the year McLaughlin said there had been no resumption to contract talks.
Having recaptured his best form, clubs will be watching his situation develop with interest.
McLaughlin has used the free agent market well in the past, but has said that he now wants stability and the chance to put down roots on Wearside.
It’s an uneasy impasse for fans who know just what an asset he is.
Jack Ross always had four words to describe McLaughlin: “High quality, low maintenance.”
There aren’t too many in that category. manager out in the FA Cup, and his return to the side in League One brought some typically steady defensive displays.
It was, in the manager’s own words, a ‘very, very tough’ call to drop him in favour of Bailey Wright.
Since Wright’s injury he has made another successful return, and the ten game run-in gives him a platform to prove his qualities once and for all.
That ruthless decision to take him out of the side earlier this year suggests he still has some work to do in Parkinson’s eyes.
It took Flanagan some time to establish himself in the defence under Parkinson but for the most part, he has been one of the most improved players since the manager’s arrival.
Particularly in games at the Stadium of Light, the manager has spoken glowingly about the way he has brought the ball out from the back and the tempo with which he has brought Denver Hume and Lynden Gooch into the game.
The defender has put himself in a good position ahead of the run-in. Championship experience.
After arriving at the club, he spoke of turning down lucrative offers in the summer to wait for an opportunity like this one.
Key for him was the chance to be part of memorable campaigns after a lot of seasons spent in good sides, but ones mostly in mid-table.
He spoke of hoping to play in the Championship at a club of this size.
It’s not known whether the year-long deal he signed has the option of an extension in the event of promotion. ankle injury that is likely to end his season, Parkinson confirmed that he had been brought into the club with a view to potentially signing a longer-term deal at the end of the current campaign.
He has stayed at Sunderland for his rehab, having relocated to the area.
Promotion to the Championship would make the conversation around a new deal much easier and for his part, Wright himself has said that he would like the opportunity to stay for an extended period.
Even in a brief spell in the team, his quality and maturity as a defender was evident and it was telling that he was the one January signing to quickly fight his way into the team and stay there. when Lynch suffered that injury at Fratton Park, but opted against it when it became clear he would be back within weeks.
The Black Cats boss moved again into the market when Wright’s season was all but ended, eager to ensure another injury did not leave him exposed.
Smith moved to push for a place on arrival but was also clear that he knew a big part of his role would be bringing experience and competition to the group on a daily basis.
Baldwin had moved to Salford City on deadline day last summer after the arrival of Joel Lynch had left him fifth choice under Jack Ross.
Ross had told the defender he was happy for him to stay, and he has excelled at Burnley in the Carabao Cup, but it was clear that he was not a central part of his plans as the manager tried to improve his side’s defensive