Sunderland turned their season on its head after Alex Neil arrived in the dugout and finally ended a four-year stay in League One.

The Black Cats will be optimistic about their chances of ruffling some feathers in the Championship next season having built momentum with some excellent performances in the play-offs.

The Wearside club have experienced some dark times in recent years, but some very smart recruitment, particularly in the last season or so, has enabled the Black Cats to take their first step back to the promiseland.

There are plenty of areas of the squad that need addressing or strengthening in depth terms, and it will be interesting to monitor what kind of influence Neil has on transfers, with the Scotsman bringing a lot of Championship experience to the table.

Here, we have taken a look at eight League One players Sunderland could realistically target this summer transfer window...

Ryan Tafazolli could be a realistic target this summer having reached the end of his deal at Wycombe Wanderers.

The towering centre back was a key part of a very stubborn Chairboys backline that saw Gareth Ainsworth's men work wonders to finish in the top six in the first place, before knocking out Milton Keynes Dons on their way to Wembley.

Tafazolli would add some much needed competition for places with Danny Batth and Bailey Wright at the heart of defence.

Paddy Lane was one of the most exciting young players in the third tier last season as Fleetwood Town stayed up narrowly.

The Northern Ireland international could be set for some second tier interest this summer after chipping in with 13 goal contributions from a range of positions in League One.

With Trai Hume, Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins all arriving at the Stadium of Light last summer, it is clear that a youthful approach to recruitment is valued at the club, and Lane would fit that bill.

Panutche Camara is arguably the best box-to-box midfielder outside of the Championship in the EFL, and the Guinea-Bissau international looks set to leave Plymouth Argyle this summer.

Camara is equally effective in and out of possession and would give the Black Cats' midfield a very fresh look.

The 25-year-old's relentless energy would definitely create spaces for more attack-minded players like Alex Pritchard and Patrick Roberts, should the former Fulham forward stay on Wearside this summer.

Dapo Afolayan would be a very exciting pick-up for any Championship club this summer and therefore certainly Sunderland.

The West Ham United academy graduate has come on leaps and bounds under Ian Evatt at Bolton Wanderers, and can play in a variety of attacking roles.

The Black Cats need to bring in some competition with Ross Stewart this summer, and Afolayan could potentially offer that as well as a very dangerous impact substitute to push them on the right side of the fine margins in the second tier.

Anthony Scully could be a left-field option to bolster the attacking contingent this summer.

The Irishman has been a dependable creator and goalscorer for Lincoln City in the last two seasons and deserves a crack at second tier level.

The 23-year-old chipped in with 18 goal contributions in a difficult campaign for the Imps and could be a popular name as the transfer window progresses.

Next season is going to be very congested and players, like Scully, who can cover multiple positions will be even more valuable.

Callum Paterson could be a more direct option for the Black Cats to consider.

The Scotsman would bring bags of second tier experience to the challenge, and would not require a significant transfer fee having not been first choice under Darren Moore at Sheffield Wednesday this season.

Paterson's attacking numbers have never been stunning, but it is what he offers off of the ball that could cause problems for Sunderland.

An unfashionable option, but one that may be considered.

The Black Cats need to add to their depth chart at left back, incase Dennis Cirkin struggles initially with the step up a division.

The 2021 summer signing is well-placed to transition smoothly, but there is not a credible backup in the squad at the moment.

Steve Seddon could offer that after impressing in League One in recent years, including with Oxford United in 2021/22.

The 24-year-old came up with seven goal contributions from left back for the Yellows and is ready for a second tier return.

A wildcard selection would be Cole Stockton.

The prolific Morecambe striker was pipped to the golden boot by Will Keane and only has one year remaining on his contract at Mazuma Stadium.

It would be fascinating to observe Championship backlines against the threat from all angles that Stockton offers, and he could be a dangerous player to introduce in the place of Stewart on a rotational basis.

This deal would not require an enormous fee and the player would likely be in favour of it at this stage of his career.