Ian Holloway has heaped praise on the way that Phil Parkinson has handled the Aiden McGeady situation.

The 33-year-0ld Sunderland star has been told that he is free to leave the club after a disagreement at the training ground in December.

McGeady is one of the higher earners at the Stadium Of Light and with 18 months remaining on his contract the club are hoping to move him on before the end of the January transfer window.

It's hard to leave out a player as influential as McGeady, but speaking to EFL On Quest Holloway said that the Sunderland boss is doing everything right in his handling of the situation.

He said: "It is about standards and the manager has to set the standards.

"If anyone, no matter if he has the most skill and is the best player, if he isn't going to use it correctly then the manager is not going to put up with it.

"Sometimes that is where you earn your money and Phil, if you look at his results, there can be no argument.

"That young lad is a fantastic player so my question to him is 'what the hell are you doing?'"

Asked about Parkinson's handling of the situation, Holloway said: "You get paid to make those big calls and people are quick to jump on you if you get them wrong so let's give Phil the credit he deserves," he added.

"For me he has got it right if you look at his results since. He is trying to mould the team to play and represent the values he believes in. If he thinks he has made the right call then you have to back him."

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The verdict It's in Sunderland's best interests to move Aiden McGeady on as soon as possible. As well as taking up a large chunk of the club's wage bill, it can't be good for the team to have a potentially disruptive influence in the dressing room. Given his advancing years, McGeady will be determined to get his career back on track as he approaches the autumn of his career. If Keith Downie's update is anything to go by, it could be something that's sorted sooner rather than later