Sunderland legend Micky Gray has offered his verdict on Black Cats' manager Jack Ross in an exclusive interview with Football League World.

Despite continued criticism from the terraces, the former left-back has thrown his support behind the Scot, although has warned him that he will ultimately be judged on the outcome of the season.

"He's been impressive when I've spoken to him," Gray exclusively told Football League World's Chief Editor Sam Rourke.

"He comes across well and says the right things and everybody seems to be enjoying the football that he's bringing to Sunderland.

"But I think he'll know that overall he'll get judged by results."

Ross came under fire during the summer after failing to guide the club to an immediate Championship return, falling short in the promotion race before losing to Charlton Athletic in the play-off final.

But Gray has admitted that he has sympathy for the Scot, pointing to the club's limitations in the transfer market, as the powers that be continue to closely manage the club's finances, as a stumbling block.

Seven new faces arrived at the Stadium of Light during the summer window but only George Dobson's signing from Walsall demanded a fee.

"He's tried to do the best that he possibly can in bringing in the right players for the club - young, hungry and healthy," he said.

"But it's a difficult situation.

"Everyone looks at Sunderland and thinks they can bring in any player they want to just to get out of that league but that's not the case because the chairman's had to get rid of the high earners from the football club and then bring in players who are the right fit and that's a difficult job to do."