Sunderland

In this new series available on BBC Sounds, the BBC's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes sits down with three footballing personalities from the north east to openly discuss prostate cancer.

In the second episode, Gary Bennett, Paul Ferris and Geoff Thompson share their experiences of surgery, treatment choices and how dark humour got them through some of the toughest times.

Plus, Gary Bennett’s wife Audrey tells the story of the conversation that saved his life.

You can listen to the episode here.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland captain Corry Evans has spoken about his goal to return to first team football before the end of the season.

Speaking to the official Sunderland AFC YouTube channel, Evans said: "I think it's just to get back to a level I'm happy with in terms of fitness [and] trying to come back and get some minutes in the first team if I can by the end of the season."

The Northern Irish midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the start of 2023 and hasn't played in the Championship since then.

Speaking about his rehabilitation, Evans said: "It's been really difficult, more like mentally than anything.

"Being away from football for that long of a time, you just concentrate on getting fit and getting back to a level that you can.

"It's a lot of long hours in the gym during the summer when all the lads are off."

Aside from rehab, Evans has been using his time off to work on other footballing projects.

"I managed to start my coaching badges last summer. I'll be doing the next part of that this summer.

"It's been a good way for me to concentrate on that side of the game."

Last week Evans played 45 minutes in Sunderland's U21 match against their Newcastle counterparts.

He scored one of Sunderland's two goals in the 3-2 defeat at the Academy of Light.

Evans said: "[It was] nice to get back on the pitch.

"I've been training for the best part of two or three weeks and it was nice to finally play a game.

"Games are a lot different to training with the intensity and challenges and so on.

"Hopefully I can carry on the progression of my return to playing in the first team by playing a couple more games in the reserves."

In this new series available on BBC Sounds, the BBC's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes sits down with three footballing personalities from the north east to openly discuss prostate cancer.

In the first episode, Nick is joined by Gary Bennett, Geoff Thompson and Paul Ferris as they each share their experience of symptoms and prostate cancer diagnosis.

You can listen to the first episode here.

We asked you for your views on Aji Alese.

The centre-back has signed a new contract to stay with Sunderland until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Image source, Getty Images

Joshua: Alese can be a great defender and target man in the box on set pieces, we all know that. However he has been incredibly injury prone and probably missed more games than he's played. If he's going to be good enough to earn SAFC promotion he must stay fit and from what I've seen so far he has that inability.

Nigel: Looks good when we plays, but got a bad injury at Blackburn last season and still doesn’t look right. Also need to work out his best position. Is he a left back or centre back. Pleased he is sticking around but make or break for him in the next 2 years to develop into a player.

Conor: Alese is a Premier League player - fine athlete and defender - fingers crossed can stay fit.

Gary: Great signing and extension for SAFC.

Aji Alese has signed a new contract to stay with Sunderland until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The 23-year-old moved to Wearside from West Ham United in the summer of 2022 and has made a total of 27 appearances.

Alese has been limited to just three appearances for the Black Cats this term, however, because of injury.

How happy are you to have the defender commit to the club, and how do you rate Alese? Have your say here.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Clarke's agent says Sunderland's commitment to their wage structure could mean the winger won't sign a new contract at the club.

In an interview with freebets.com, external, Ian Harte said: "Not many people know this but in Jack’s contract, he had to play a few games at the start of this season to then get offered a new deal.

"There was a deal that was offered but it wasn’t good enough.

“We were happy to sign a deal but that was earlier on in the summertime and it hasn’t been revisited.

“They have a [wage] structure. Lots of clubs have that. I don’t think [Sunderland] want to break any structure for any football player so I can’t see it happening, no.”

Clarke has two years left on his current contract and so there is time for things to change, but the club also could be looking to cash-in while there is time left on the deal.

The 23-year-old has attracted attention from multiple Premier League clubs and Italian side Lazio made bids for him in January.

What do you think of Harte's comments? Should Sunderland break the wage structure? Run down the deal and lose value? Or cash-in on Clarke and reinvest in new players? Have your say here.

We asked whether you will be renewing your Sunderland season card. Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I'm red and white through and through and will follow them to the very lowest, I think that explains why every true supporter will follow!

Cheshire Mackem: Renew my season ticket? YES ABSOLUTELY. Don't be put off by a temporary drop off in form. Sunderland 'til I die.

Trevit: No. We are a laughing stock. More managers over the last decade than should have been. Awful ownership. Nothing has been right since the days of Peter Reid,Phillips and Quinn. There is something inherently wrong deep within the club which needs to be rooted out. The fiasco of the derby game was the last straw for many.

Stephen: The club seem to think every supporter has a smart phone and is bullying it's season ticket holders into digital tickets. Personally I believe at least 10,000 ticket holders will not renew and scraping digital tickets may make more ticket holders renew.

Stuart: Of course I’ll be renewing my ticket. In fact it’s already renewed. I’m a Sunderland supporter first and foremost and will be going to support my team no matter what.

Mark: I’ll be renewing. The match day experience isn’t just about the football. With work commitments it’s probably the only opportunity to get together with family and friends to socialise and hopefully watch some exciting football.

Bob: Already have done. You either get Sunderland or you don't. Once bitten, never smitten.

Colin: No, I won't be renewing my season card as I have better things to spend my money on.

Edward: Yes, I have already purchased my season ticket simply because this is my club even though I have serious issues with owner and sporting director both with vision and direction for this great club.

Gary: Yes, already done. Ha'way the lads.

Sunderland have released their season cards for the 2024/25 campaign, but will fans renew?

It has been a turbulent few months on Wearside with controversial head coach changes, transfer frustrations and all that surrounded the FA Cup derby fixture with Newcastle.

The club have, however, announced plans to invest millions into a revamp of the Stadium of Light. As it stands, there are a number of talented players to make an exciting team when everyone is fit - not to mention the undeniable and unrivalled passion and commitment of Black Cats supporters to their football team.

Will you be renewing your season card and if so, why? Have your say here.

Nick Barnes has completed another of his legendary commentary notes for Sunderland v QPR.

Barnesy will be joined by former Black Cats captain Gary Bennett for commentary of the Championship clash on BBC Radio Newcastle via FM, DAB and Freeview.

Build-up starts on Saturday from 14:00 GMT.

Mike Dodds' press conference started with a call for positivity following the vast amount of bad news coming out of the Stadium of Light recently.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes opened the questions up with, "Mike, since you left your office and came down here to talk to us, anymore bad news?"

Dodds replied, "There's no injuries, no.

"I've been at the club now, two years? I've never experienced the, kind of... I won't say bad news. I want to try and put a different spin on it. The injury list and the things that have come up, I have never experienced that in the two and a half years I've been here.

"As I keep saying to everyone, it is what it is. I'm not going to cry about it. I'm going to get on with it. I know what I've got to work with and I'll continue to work as hard as I can with what I've got."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds.

• Sunderland are looking to complete a league double over Queens Park Rangers for the first time since the 2011-12 season under Martin O’Neill.

• Queens Park Rangers are unbeaten across their last four away league games against Sunderland (W1 D3) with this fixture last season ending 2-2 after goalkeeper Seny Dieng netted a stoppage time equaliser.

• Sunderland have lost each of their last six league games, last losing more consecutively between October and December 2005 in the Premier League (9 in a row).

• Queens Park Rangers have won three of their last four away league games (L1), as many victories as across their first 14 away matches this season (D3 L8).

• Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham is the top scoring player aged 18 or under in England’s top four tiers this season with six goals, five of which have come at the Stadium of Light.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have confirmed Jenson Seelt will be out for the remainder of the season.

After the defender revealed a knee injury via Instagram, Sunderland have released the following statement via the club website: "Sunderland AFC defender Jenson Seelt has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

"A summer arrival from PSV Eindhoven, the 20-year-old sustained a knee injury during the Club’s defeat at Southampton last weekend.

"Further tests to determine the full extent of the injury, and if the Dutchman will require surgery, will be undertaken throughout the next fortnight.

"All at SAFC are supporting Jenson and wish him the very best in his recovery."

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Ballard and Trai Hume have been called-up for Northern Ireland's upcoming international friendly fixtures.

The Sunderland duo have both become regulars in their national side in recent months and will be in the squads to face Romania and Scotland.

Ballard's call-up will be a positive sign for Black Cats fans after there were injury fears for the centre-back after he came off during the 4-2 loss at Southampton. His inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad could mean Ballard features this weekend against QPR.

How much of a boost would having Dan Ballard fit be for Sunderland? Have your say here.