To put it frankly, it has been a diabolical season for Sunderland.

For the second year running, the Black Cats look destined for the drop as both Simon Grayson and Chris Coleman have failed to move Sunderland away from the relegation zone.

Three games remain and six points separate Sunderland from safety, meaning that survival is looking increasingly unlikely.

With League One football beckoning next season, it could be time for a major clear-out at the Stadium of Light, which gives us a chance to reflect on which players have been under-performing for Sunderland this term.

There have been a number of players who have been below par for Sunderland this season, and whittling it down to just three of their worst players has been challenging.

Most players in Sunderland's team have been poor, which is why they find themselves rooted to the foot of the Championship table.

Here are Sunderland's worst three players this season.

Jason Steele has cost Sunderland so many points this season with his hopeless displays between the sticks.

Blackburn fans warned Sunderland in pre-season that they had made a poor signing when they snapped up the 27-year-old and they have been proven right.

The former Middlesbrough man has shipped 22 goals in his 12 outings for Sunderland and he could be on his way out this summer.

Jason Steele and Robbin Ruiter alternated in goal for the start of the season and, to be honest, both were equally deserving of a place in the worst three players this season.

But Lee Camp, who is their current first choice stopper, has been arguably worse than both of them.

The Northern Ireland international may be an experienced head in goal but he has cost the Black Cats some vital points which could have kept them up.

Sunderland's forgotten man, Jack Rodwell, completes this list.

The 27-year-old has played just twice for Sunderland this season and he unsuccessfully tried to force through a transfer in January - probably because no one wanted to sign him.

For a man who was once regarded as England's saviour in central midfield, he has eaten up a lot of wages at Sunderland and somehow he still remains on their books.