It has been a miserable 2017/18 campaign for Sunderland and Chris Coleman's men are heading towards League One football at a frantic rate.

The Black Cats are rock bottom of the Sky Bet Championship with eight games remaining and dropping into the third tier would mean a second successive relegation for the hapless club.

Former Wales boss Coleman stuck his own reputation on the line when he decided to take the thankless job of reviving Sunderland's fortunes following the departure of Simon Grayson earlier in the campaign.

The managerial change didn't have the desired effect and the Black Cats are now staring down the barrel of the dreaded drop with games fast running out on their Championship status.

Coleman needs to plan for the future and with money in short supply he may have to beg, borrow and steal for new recruits during the summer.

FLW writer Lee Clarke looks at three free agents who could arrive at the Stadium of Light during the summer...

The Derby County right-back has been a solid, if unspectacular, player throughout his career and the veteran performer could be exactly the type of experience Sunderland need for next season.

The 36-year-old would be unlikely to get himself a Championship club given his age so a move to help Sunderland back into the second tier would be an ideal move for him - provided Sunderland do drop into League One.

The former Arsenal trainee has fallen way down the pecking order at Queens Park Rangers and a move away from the club on a free transfer seems likely this summer.

The 27-year-old hasn't featured for the R's at all this season and a move to revive his career at Sunderland could be a good, risk free move for all parties in the summer.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers man has featured just four times for the runaway Championship leaders this season and with his current club destined for the Premier League his days look numbered.

At 23-years-old the versatile attacker could represent a good piece of free transfer business for the Black Cats.

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