Sunderland will be planning for life in League One again next season after losing the play-off final in the third tier in the harshest of circumstances.

After going 1-0 up via bizarre means, Charlton eventually roared back to beat them at the death in normal time, leaving Black Cats reeling.

The planning must begin for next season to be a success, then, and it looks as though the men from Wearside are aiming to bring in a new goalkeeper.

With Robbin Ruiter set to leave the club, they need to consider bringing in a new challenger to Jon McLaughlin for the number one spot.

And, according to the Northern Echo, that could come in the form of Middlesbrough man Dimitrios Konstantopoulos - or Dimi as he is better known.

The goalkeeper is out of contract with Boro this summer and could well be on the move after spending six years on Teesside.

He's used to being a back-up, too, and so could be a decent enough signing for Sunderland, if they get him in.

Not only is he a player that would cost little to bring in, he is a player that knows English football well - and that can never be underestimated as to how vital it is.

He's been a part of a promotion-winning squad at Boro, too, and been a part of dressing rooms that have challenged at the right end of a table.

Of course, he might not have always played but he is definitely someone that can influence a team and help morale head in a direction that will yield a charge at promotion.

Indeed, he has quality greater than Ruiter, too, and could potentially challenge McLaughlin next season for the job - not that the current number 1 struggled at all in his first season on Wearside.

What Sunderland need this summer, then, is a commitment to play more adventurous football next year and bring in players that can help when things are tough with their knowhow.

Dimi can at least provide the latter - even if he is not always on the pitch next season for the Black Cats.