Premier League side Sunderland are currently facing a tough uphill battle to keep their top flight status, with the north east outfit currently sat in 19th, just one place off bottom of the table.

The Blackcats have a mediocre 23 points from 26 games, although with Sam Allerdyce holding the reins there is a chance that they could get out of trouble before the end of the season and avoid the drop.

However, if Sunderland were to suffer relegation for the first time since the 2005/06 campaign under Mick McCarthy, it is essential that the club start to build a shortlist of lower cost but talented players, to help the club bounce back at the first time of asking.

A major boost for Sunderland however would be a seemingly positive turn in form of late after three wins and two draws in their last eight Premier League games, including vital wins over Swansea and bottom club Aston Villa.

The Blackcats have been walking the tight rope in the Premier League for some time now, but maybe this time their luck has run out, although in Jermaine Defoe the club have a top class forward who will get you goals at important stages of games and against big opponents.

The club would receive parachute payments of around £60m over four years, although would have to spend it wisely to comply with strict FFP guidelines.

Allardyce’s team still face difficult fixtures with high flying Leicester, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton between now and the end of the campaign.

Therefore, FLW’s Kieran Creeg looks at THREE players Sunderland should sign if they suffer relegation this season………

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO REVEAL THE THREE PLAYERS!

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Adam Le Fondre

 

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The key to any successful promotion push in the Championship is goals, and with Jermaine Defoe unlikely to be tempted by a season in the second tier, a goal scorer is likely to be first on the list for The Black Cats.

29-year-old Adam Le Fondre is a proven goal scorer not only in the Championship but also in the Premier League after scoring an impressive 14 goals for Reading in the Premier League during the 2012/13 campaign, although it was not enough to save the club from relegation.

Le Fondre continued his goal-scoring form for Reading in the following Championship campaign where he found the net 15 times before joining Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee, where he has struggled for form, fitness and goals which resulted in the forward being loaned to Bolton Wanderers and more recently Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Despite his recent misfortunes, Le Fondre would still be a shrewd acquisition for Sunderland and with Cardiff City looking to offload the forward he may be a cost effective option.

 

Massimo Luongo

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Australian born midfielder Massimo Luongo only recently made the step into Sky Bet Championship football, after joining QPR from Swindon Town.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was surprisingly named alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the 59-man longlist, for the most prestigious individual award in football, the Ballon d'Or world footballer of the year award.

The 23-year-old has been highly rated by many for some time now and has gained international silverware in the past, in the Asian Cup with his national side Australia where he was named the tournament's most valuable player.

There is no doubting Luongo’s ability and he would be a great addition to a Sunderland side looking to add a creative midfielder to their squad.

 

Barry Bannan

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Scottish International Barry Bannan, graduated from Celtic’s youth system before joining Aston Villa back in 2008, during his time at Villa he spent time out on loan with Derby, Blackpool, and Leeds before joining Crystal Palace in September 2013.

The Gifted Sheffield Wednesday play-maker has fitted seamlessly into Carlos Carvalhal’s side after joining from Premier League Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee back in August, and has also extended his contract in recent weeks after signing a fresh three-and-a-half-year extension, however if Wednesday fail to secure promotion this season, a move to Sunderland could tempt him.

The 26-year-old has featured 27 times for Wednesday this season, scoring two goals and has started to re-build his reputation after failing to make the grade at Palace.

Bannan has demonstrated his willingness to drop into the Championship for regular first team football after joining Wednesday, and an opportunity to stay in the second tier with Sunderland could be a head turner.

Sunderland fans. What do you think, do you agree with our opinions? Who would you like to see come in next season if you suffer relegation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!