🎧 'Are Sunderland attempting promotion on the cheap?'

Former Sunderland midfielder Kieron Brady believes the Black Cats are not making enough investment into the squad to reach promotion.

The Wearside club did make a high profile addition in January with the loan addition of Roma midfielder Enzo Le Fee, but Brady is critical of the move only being a temporary one.

In comparison, promotion-challengers Sheffield United spent a reported £10m on striker Tom Cannon from Leicester City.

"If the club don't go up this particular season, I would be aghast if there isn't an outcry to the powers that be," Brady told BBC Radio Sunderland.

"One can focus on youth in a positive and productive manner but I think there's an equal and valid argument for saying they are simply trying to do so much on the cheap."

Sunderland have the youngest starting XI in the Championship, with an average age of just 23.

Though Brady is positive about how well the young squad have performed to get them into a play off spot, he believes the popularity of the club should equal more investment in experience.

"The players deserve so much credit for what they've been able to produce this season," he added.

"But you just think that a club that, for example, has the biggest average attendance in the division, or one of them along with Leeds, for the third season in the Championship is stellar but the fourth or fifth lowest in terms of salaries - that doesn't add up."

You can listen to the full interview and more on the Total Sport podcast.