Sunderland are on the brink of being consigned to a second successive relegation and a season in League One, much to the dismay of their long-suffering supporters.

The club's fall from grace is alarming and for boss Chris Coleman it leaves his reputation in tatters after doing such a tremendous job as the manager of the Welsh national team.

Sunderland would be wise to hand Coleman the chance to completely clear the decks in terms of his playing personnel during the summer and build a group capable of challenging for an immediate promotion back into the Championship.

With several players looking set to leave the Stadium of Light during the summer, Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at four defensive signings who would represent upgrades on current defender John O'Shea...

The Northern Ireland defender is set to leave West Bromwich Albion during the summer when his contract expires and it remains to be seen where his next move will be.

If Sunderland do drop into League One then wages for McAuley might prove a minor issue, but with the player now 36-years-old, a chance to prolong his ability to play regular first-team football might be an ideal move for all parties.

The Queens Park Rangers defender looks likely to leave Loftus Road during the summer and although a drop into League One might not seem overly appealing for the player, it would certainly represent a new challenge for the former Manchester City man.

The commanding defender boasts over 225 appearances for the R's spread across the Premier League and the Championship and having a player with his leadership qualities would help Sunderland start to climb up the Football League once again.

Hobbs hasn't played a great deal of football for two seasons due to recurring back and groin injuries and it seems unlikely that Nottingham Forest will offer him a new contract during the summer.

The ex-Leicester City man will need a club where he can revive his career and given that he still has plenty of years left in him, it has to be said, that a completely fit Hobbs would be an upgrade on the ageing John O'Shea.

The 26-year-old Peterborough United man has been highly influential in the Posh side for the past couple of years and it remains to be seen just how long the League One club can keep hold of such a talent.

Sunderland will be looking to add players with plenty of League One experience to their squad in the summer and Tafazolli would fit that billing just nicely.

Sunderland fans, would you welcome these three players to the club? Let us know in the comments below!!!