After four long and tough years away, Sunderland will return to the Championship for the 2022-23 season after navigating their way through the League One play-offs.

The Black Cats banished their Wembley hoodoo after two previous losses at the stadium in 2019 to secure their place in the second tier when the new season kicks off in July, with a 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers sealing promotion.

The Wearsiders will return to a level that they haven't played at since 2018 when they suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to the third tier.

And Alex Neil will be the man to manage them there, with the Scot losing just one game since his appointment in February to replace Lee Johnson.

Sunderland now have a big summer to contend with, as some of their players will no doubt be linked to other clubs but there is important recruitment to get on with at the same time - let's look at SEVEN ways the Black Cats can have the perfect transfer window.

After scoring 26 league goals for Sunderland this season and filling Charlie Wyke's massive boots, Ross Stewart is set to be a man in-demand this summer - maybe even more-so if he gets his Scotland debut.

Rangers, Norwich City and Swansea were linked with the 25-year-old before the 2021-22 season had ended, but now Sunderland have secured their Championship spot then they will be less likely to cash in on the striker - unless he hands in a transfer request.

Sunderland though must keep Stewart around if they have aspirations of pushing on in the 2022-23 season.

Speaking of strikers, one who Sunderland fans would love to see more of next season is Broadhead, who joined on loan at the start of the season from Everton.

Despite struggling with injury for a lot of the season, the 24-year-old finished with 10 League One goals in 22 appearances, which is a great record considering how long he was sidelined for.

Broadhead has one year remaining on his contract at Everton, and with his future at the Toffees probably not going anywhere, Sunderland would be wise to pursue a permanent deal for the forward.

Another player, like Stewart, that Sunderland must keep hold of is Dan Neil - despite the fact that he's hardly featured since Alex Neil's arrival.

The 20-year-old academy graduate was one of the Black Cats' shining lights in the first half of the season, but his new manager took him out of the firing line almost as soon as he arrived in February as it looked like he was suffering from fatigue.

Neil will be refreshed before pre-season gets underway and will be raring to go, but Premier League teams will no doubt be circling - Sunderland cannot afford to cash in on a talented local lad.

After failing to make the grade at Manchester City following his arrival there as a teenager from Fulham, Roberts is now trying to salvage his career at the Black Cats.

It may have been the best move for the attacking midfielder, who despite having a sub-par half-season with Sunderland came alive in the play-offs and was arguably their best player over the course of the three matches.

The club will almost certainly trigger the one-year extension in Roberts' contract, but they must offer him renewed, extended terms in order to keep him around for the long run.

Ron-Thorben Hoffmann was signed from Bayern Munich last summer on loan and with the option to make it permanent, it looked likely that the German would become a full-time Black Cat after his performances in the first half of the season.

Since Neil's arrival as manager though, it is Anthony Patterson who has been preferred in-between the sticks, and although he's not done a lot wrong, he needs some competition next season as you'd imagine Hoffmann now won't be joining permanently.

There are a lot of youngsters at Premier League clubs who will be ready for Championship loan moves, so it will be interesting to see who Sunderland opt for.

Many would describe the aforementioned Roberts as a wasted talent over the last few years, and Jack Clarke was potentially heading down a similar path after a few unproductive loan spells away from Tottenham Hotspur.

Sunderland has been a different story though as he's got his head down and been involved in a promotion push, scoring once and notching three assists.

Even though he only came off the bench in the play-off final, it would be wise for the Black Cats hierarchy to tie up another loan deal for the 21-year-old, who could have a lot to offer in the Championship.

It's not just Clarke who Sunderland should be looking at for next season to fill their winger spots - Alex Neil should look to a former favourite of his from Preston North End in Barkhuizen and bring him to the Stadium of Light.

Under Neil's management at PNE, Barkhuizen played 161 times in the Championship and was a real trustworthy asset for the Scot - and now he's a free agent after the Lilywhites released him.

Even though he struggled with injuries for a lot of 2021-22, Barkhuizen still has something to offer in the second tier and his experience could be valuable, as well as his pace - don't be surprised if this is a player that Neil goes for.