It is going to be a very big summer for Sunderland as they prepare for a second successive season in League One.

The heartbreaking way they lost to Charlton in the play-off final back in May will still be fresh in the memory but the challenge for Jack Ross is to build a side that can go one better next time around.

However, that task will be made tougher by the off-the-field issues surrounding the Black Cats and the fact that they still have a wage bill that is too much for the third-tier.

The club already made moves to rectify that with long-serving midfielder Lee Cattermole leaving and there have been reports that another big earner could be on the way with Aiden McGeady attracting MLS interest.

Whilst moving the winger would undoubtedly make sense from a financial perspective, it’s not going to help Ross and the team at all.

A major criticism of Sunderland last season was a lack of imagination and creativity in the final third, where they relied on McGeady far too much.

The former Celtic man weighed in with 11 goals and numerous assists from his 35 league games and he was a real talisman for the Black Cats. And, the injury that prevented him from starting at Wembley was perhaps a decisive factor in the defeat.

That’s because the side were rather predictable and boring without the influential 33-year-old who makes such a difference when he features.

No other player in the squad could match the wide man in terms of his technique, skill, quick feet and ability to beat players.

Ross has built a side that are hard to beat and they could grind out results, however it wasn’t enough over the course of the season and the manager now has to make changes to ensure they improve.

The primary focus in this window will be to add that spark in the final third, so losing McGeady would be a hammer blow.

That would set the club back significantly and even with his wages of the books, the reality is that Sunderland are going to struggle to bring in a player to a similar standard of the Irishman.

Therefore, given the importance of promotion next season, keeping McGeady at the Stadium of Light for the final 12 months of his contract has to be a risk worth taking.

Thoughts, Sunderland fans? How important is it that McGeady stays? Let us know in the comments below.