Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has urged the North East club to address Ross Stewart's contract situation ahead of their return to the Championship

The Black Cats secured their return to the second tier by beating Wycombe 2-0 in the League One play-off final last month, with Stewart among the goalscorers at Wembley.

That took his tally for 2021/22 to 26 goals and the Scottish marksman is attracting attention as we head into the summer transfer window – with Rangers and Middlesbrough among the clubs linked (The Mirror (26/05: p62)).

Stewart is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light and though they do have the option of triggering an additional year, the situation may mean they feel they have to consider an offers made.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Phillips has urged his former club to give the 25-year-old a new deal that ties him down beyond 2024.

He said: "I think the priority is to get him tied down on a long-term deal.

“He’s been outstanding this season and for me he’s got everything. He can run, he can hold it up, he can score goals, he can head it.

“Technically he’s very good as well and his workrate is excellent so he’s certainly a player that Sunderland need to get tied down.”

Stewart joined from Ross County in January 2021 and after playing second fiddle to Charlie Wyke in the second half of last season, has established himself as a reliable goalscorer and the Black Cats' first-choice striker.

The Verdict

It's hard to disagree with Phillips on this one.

Losing Stewart this summer – or next January – would be a massive blow for the Black Cats and getting him to sign a new long-term deal would protect them against that happening.

The Scot has proven his worth over the past nine months or so and deserves to be rewarded for that.

They'll be relying on his goals to keep them in the Championship next season so they want him completely settled and raring to go.