Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has outlined that any potential departures will only occur if the club can add further quality, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.

The Black Cats are about to embark on their fourth successive season in League One - a campaign where expectation levels are as high as ever.

Four fresh faces have walked through the doors at The Stadium of Light thus far, and it remains to be seen what else this summer has in store for The Wearsiders.

Centre-back Bailey Wright has been catching the attention of Wigan Athletic - a deal that if struck, could leave Sunderland quite short in defensive options.

However, Speakman's latest update has provided a bit more of a positive message in regard to what remains in this transfer window.

"I’d always say not to get too concerned about speculation," Speakman said.

"What I would say is I hope there’ll be a confidence that we won’t let a player go unless it’s in a situation that suits the football club.

"We’ll work on a case-by-case basis, and be flexible enough to deal with any changes we need to make.

"But we’re trying to build a stronger squad, not a weaker squad."

The verdict 

Losing Bailey Wright would be a big blow for Sunderland. Dion Sanderson has returned to his parent club and has since moved on, meaning that if Wright was to depart, then they would leave themselves short.

Sunderland boasted the third-best defensive record in the league last time out, and as seen in the division before, defences win you titles and promotions.

It would not be a disaster if Wright does depart this summer as the club will certainly have targets who they will turn to.

League One is shaping up to be a very competitive division for this upcoming campaign and for Sunderland to get promoted, they need to sort out this defensive situation sooner rather than later.