Speaking to Sky Sports' Football Show, Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has issued a message to Sunderland as promotion uncertainty continues around League One.

We're edging closer to a decision concerning the third tier now, with the EFL earlier this week revealing the possible routes that the rest of the campaign could take.

Indeed, if the campaign cannot be played out, an extended play-offs has been ruled out and, on points per game, Sunderland miss out on the top six, as well as the likes of Peterborough and Doncaster Rovers.

Barton's Fleetwood, meanwhile, would make the cut if things were curtailed now but, for some sides, it is bound to be a sore subject.

Sunderland could miss out, then, but former Newcastle man Barton has said he actually feels sorry for them, with their obvious rivalry in mind:

The Verdict

Fleetwood were in good form before the break in the campaign and it remains to be seen what is going to happen next.

The Cod Army seem likely to get a shot at the play-offs if things are curtailed, but clubs just outside by the thinnest of margins could miss out and that is likely to be highly controversial at this current point in the season.