Dan Neil's future hangs in the balance after latest news update at Sunderland
Dan Neil made his Premier League debut for Sunderland during the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Neil came on in stoppage time for Noah Sadiki as Sunderland held on for a valuable point at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.
He is currently Sunderland's fifth-choice midfielder despite captaining his boyhood club to play-off victory in May at Wembley.
Chris Rigg starting against Villa is a huge indication that he may not be wanted at the Black Cats, with reports stating Neil may move to a Championship club.
Dan Neil could leave Sunderland in January
Neil's contract expires in June 2026, yet his departure could come even sooner than that.
Speaking on the Haway The Podcast on 22 September, Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith discussed Neil's future at the club.
When asked if Neil will be a Sunderland player in January, he said: "Right now, my gut says no.
"These talks [regarding his exit] have been going on for a long time, so I don't feel particularly optimistic about his future at the moment."
Neil has been at Sunderland for 15 years and completed his dream last summer by captaining the Black Cats to promotion from the Championship.
| Appearances | 199 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 20 |
The 23-year-old has become a modern-day legend for Sunderland, and it's a shame that his time at the club may be over halfway into the season.
In the midfield pecking order, Neil currently finds himself behind:
- Granit Xhaka
- Habib Diarra
- Noah Sadiki
- Chris Rigg
However, with the Africa Cup of Nations starting in the second half of December, that could all change for Neil.
AFCON could allow Neil to stay at Sunderland
AFCON could hurt Sunderland's form, and Le Bris will need Neil available to fill one of the midfield spots.
Smith said: "The big question mark is the Africa Cup of Nations because Neil will start four or five games, and there is an opportunity for everything to change."
Sunderland currently have six African players who are expected to be called up for AFCON, with Diarra and Sadiki's absence meaning Sunderland will need quality midfielders to step up.
The tournament starts on 21 December and will finish on 18 January, with the tournament taking place in Morocco.
If Neil can step up during the Christmas period, then his Sunderland career could be revived.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Sunderland news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@mackemnews247