Adam Matthews has been a Sunderland player for nearly four years now but it looks like his time at the Stadium of Light could soon be over, according to the Chronicle. 

Thanks to the cost-cutting ventures of owner Stewart Donald, if the Black Cats fail to achieve promotion this season then Matthews, whose contract is expiring, will have to leave the club.

Matthews made the move to the Stadium of Light from Celtic back in the summer of 2015, going on to make 60 appearances for the club.

He was sent out on loan to Bristol City during the 2016/17 campaign but was a regular in the Championship last season and has appeared 17 times in League One so far under Jack Ross.

Ross's side currently sit in fourth place in the third tier with 28 matches played, nine points behind league-leaders Luton Town but with three games in hand on the Hatters.

There is surely still a role for Matthews to play this season, but how should he be feeling right now?

Well, firstly, you would have to imagine that Matthews is aware of this but that will not stop it being an immense disappointment to him.

The 27-year-old has been a reliable servant during his time with the club and might feel that he deserves a contract renewal.

In a way, he is unlucky to have joined the club at a time when they were handing out silly wages. Of course, he was never going to turn it down.

But the fact is that unless he is willing to take a wage cut, he will be leaving.