Former Manchester United and Sunderland forward Dwight Yorke believes it's a matter of time until the Black Cats are back in the top flight. Tony Mowbray's side are still within touching distance of the play-offs, but their form has curtailed in recent weeks.
The absence of Ross Stewart has hit the Wearsiders hard this season, with their key man missing a large chunk of the season with two injuries. Nonetheless, it's been a season of positives with the Black Cats not looking in any danger of relegation this season.
The red and white faithful will no doubt be pleased with their first season back in the second tier, but there's a tinge of frustration over what might have been, had they had more strength in depth. A return to top flight would see Sunderland take on their fierce rivals Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby, a fixture we've not seen since 2016.
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Speaking to LegalSportsbooks.com, Yorke said: "Sunderland have a great fanbase, the noughties had a great derby between Sunderland and Newcastle, it's as big as it gets. People in the north live for those moments, they need that passion.
"Ideally, it would be great for them to get back to the Premier League. One day Sunderland will return and they will get that feeling of being with the big boys again, they deserve it.”
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