Sunderland 'bang in' promotion race despite Stoke defeat - Ian Darke

Sunderland are still "bang in" the promotion race to reach the Premier League but are likelier to finish in the play-offs, according to Ian Darke.

The Black Cats still sit fourth in the Championship after conceding late goals in each of their last two outings at Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, costing them five points.

TV commentator Darke, speaking exclusively to Mackem News, still believes Regis Le Bris' young squad have plenty going in their favour.

"If I had to make a prediction, I would have Sunderland finishing third or fourth. But that's just one opinion and there are a lot of factors at play. How January goes is one of them, injuries are another. But they're bang in the argument," Darke explained.

"I did initially think they'd start to fade out of the promotion race a little, but they revived somewhat, and they've shown themselves to be capable of a great run like at that start of the season.

"Recently, it was still a heck of a comeback at Swansea, they came from behind to win their first game against Stoke. What they have going for them with a young team is that recklessness of youth; they're a little bit fearless, and they won't be thinking about the possibility of winding down. They'll want to get the prize. But it'll be tough with Leeds, Sheffield United, Burnley, Blackburn and others."

Sunderland will navigate January window vigilantly

Sunderland know they have a challenge on their hands to preserve some of the key prospects in their squad, who have already been playing sensationally well in the first team this season.

There will doubtless be interest in some of Wearside's most coveted young players but the club will aim to steer the ship through and keep a top-six rate of form going throughout the campaign.

The Black Cats open 2025 by playing host to fellow promotion hunters Sheffield United [1 January], before welcoming Portsmouth [5 January] and later Stoke City in the third round of the FA Cup [11 January].

In other Sunderland news, Don Goodman shares an "absolute certainty" over injured starlet Tommy Watson.

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