With just a week to go until the start of pre-season, Sunderland are yet to announce any additions to their ever-thinning squad, whilst in the background talks between Chairman, Ellis Short, and a German consortium look to be reaching their conclusion.

Whazib Khazri, Fabio Borini and Jermaine Lens are all set to leave Sunderland, with the latter reportedly close to joining Fenerbache, where he spent all of last season. Will Buckley has seen his contract expire and Adnan Januzaj has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell.

These imminent and confirmed departures mean Sunderland are without a fit senior winger going into their Championship preparations, as Duncan Watmore is sidelined until September with a knee injury.

Stewart Downing, who spent a period on loan at Sunderland as a youngster, has been told by Middlesbrough manager, Garry Monk, that he can leave the club on a free and could be an option for Sunderland.

Whoever is in charge of Sunderland next season will have to be pragmatic as they must construct an entire new squad from pretty modest resources.

Downing made 25 appearances in Boro's unsuccessful Premier League campaign, scoring a single league goal and providing three assists in what was a poor return by his own standards.

However, the ex-England international did have some joy in Boro's promotion a year prior and one would speculate that the 32-year-old is more than capable to perform in the second-tier.

Between having a previous pedigree with the fans, plugging a hole in their worn-out squad and possessing a heavily discounted price tag, Downing would be a very sensible signing, and is a move Sunderland should seriously consider.