Sunderland owner Stewart Donald has tweeted that he's on his way back from a foreign business trip to make sure his voice is amongst the 30,000 expected at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

The Black Cats boss has pleaded with fans to keep up their excellent voices for just three more matches at they seek a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

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His sentiment has been echoed by Charlie Methven, another key figure behind the scenes, who issued a passionate appeal in local press to supporters still deciding whether to attend or not.

Just one point separates Sunderland and Barnsley in third, but the Black Cats have a game in hand. Their visitors this weekend are Coventry City, themselves harbouring incredibly slim hopes of finishing in the top six.

There's a bumper crowd expected to cheer the side on and fans have poured onto Twitter with their stories and confirmation of attendance.

One child has even asked to watch the game and, as her dad wryly suggests, it's not even a punishment! Times really are changing on Wearside.