Departures must be Wright for Cats amid interest in defender
Lee Johnson says any further exits from his Sunderland squad will only be sanctioned if they are on the club's terms.
Experienced defender Bailey Wright is the subject of significant interest from ambitiousLeagueOnesideWigan Athletic, who have already signed Max Power and Charlie Wyke this summer.
Wright was not involved in the 1-1 draw with York City on Wednesday night, though that wasduetoaminorgroininjury he sustained during the team's week-longtrainingcampinEdinburgh last week.
AskedifheexpectedWright to stay at the club or leave before the end of the window, Johnson said: "He's got a year leftonhiscontract.We'vebeen veryopenandhonestwithBailey all the way through.
"I don't think the new ownership have seen the best of Bailey Wright, in terms of, he's gottodobetterthanthelastten games of last season.
"At the same time, he can, and he was a real warrior in that time because he'd been out for nine or ten weeks and thencameinandhadaboutten games on the spin.
"We also know what he brings off the pitch more than anyone, he's a fantastic human being and a great leader for us.
"Performances have been steady but I know there's more to come."
WithArbenitXhemajlistill working his way back from a major knee injury, Sunderland's defensive options are currently limited.
Asked if the would block any exits before reinforcements have been secured, Johnson said: "Any of those scenarios would have to be on our terms.
"It's got to be the right move for Sunderland and the team. It's that simple.
"We are in the market for a centre-half but that's because Arby neeeds time after a bad injury.
"Naturallythere'sinterestin ourplayers,andwe'lltakeevery decision on its merits and for the benefit for Sunderland."
Sunderland have significant work still to do in the transfer market, even if Denver Hume is expected to agree a new contract.
Johnson admits that it could be after the season beginsthathefinallyhasasettled defence,andtheheadcoachacknowledges that further business is absolutely essential.
He says that he thinks he needs at least four new bodies, withdefensivereinforcements the obvious priority.
"It'shardtoputanumberon it," he said.
"But obviously we've had a few not here tonight due to injury and illness.
"We need a few, I'll be honest. If you gave me six I'd take six, if you gave me four I'd take that if they were high quality. But we need a few."
Asked if he was comfortable with where the club were at, Johnson added: "I wouldn't sayI'mcomfortable,I'mhaving sleepless nights that's for sure.
"What I am comfortable with is that we're working extremely hard in the background.
"It’s a tough division this year, and you’ve got to have the quality. At the moment, we’re a little short in certain areas.
"There’s always good teams andtheinterestingthingatthe moment is the out of contract players, and at what point in their head they drop from Championship-level money intheirheadsandarecomfortable with it.
"There’s going to be bargains available.”