Sunderland boss Jack Ross has confirmed the club have opened contract discussions with Jon McLaughlin and Aiden McGeady as they enter the final year of their deals.
The duo were key figures during the Black Cats' promotion bid last season, and Ross is keen to ensure both players are at his disposal for the foreseeable future at the Stadium of Light.
Both players have attracted interest from other clubs this summer, with McLaughlin linked with Middlesbrough and Millwall in addition to McGeady being touted for a move to the MLS.
Ross is adamant that he wants to keep the pair at the club, but he has conceded there is the possibility of an offer coming in for McLaughlin that is too good for the Sunderland hierarchy to turn down.
"From a football point of view, I've no interest in Jon not being at the club,"
Ross told Chronicle Live.
"He's contracted for another year, ideally we'd like to keep him for longer than that and I think that process is underway.
"I'm more than confident he'll remain here."
Ross
made similar comments on McGeady's future, as he claimed the PFA League One Team of the Year member is also in contract discussions with the club.
"I think they have [started talks with Aiden],"
Ross said.
"He's like Jon in that he enjoys being at the club. I don't think there's any desire not to be here, they want to try and get us promoted."
The Verdict
After the club's failure to win promotion last season, it will come as a relief for Sunderland fans to hear that two of their key men are interested in extending their stay on Wearside.
There is always the risk that a club will lose their key players when a promotion bid derails, so this is significant news for Sunderland amid interest from other clubs.
McLaughlin and McGeady are both senior figures in the squad, and I think the Black Cats would find it hard to replace both their quality and experience if they were to leave.
The opening of contract discussions suggests both players are positive about the direction the club is heading in, and this can only bode well ahead of another promotion attempt next season.
