Sunderland would be loathe to lose any of their key players during the January transfer window, and certainly not to a direct rival for promotion out of the Championship. While the Black Cats continue to set the pace at the top of the table, the gap between Sunderland and Leeds United now stands at just two points after Regis Le Bris’s side threw away a lead against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon. Former boss Gus Poyet believes surviving the January window is key for the Wearsiders’ hopes of securing a long-awaited return to the Premier League. Though that could be easier said than done. …
