Sunderland legend Michael Gray says the best thing would be if they were relegated.

The Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League and six points from safety after a torrid season so far.

“This is where we are now," Gray told the Sunderland Echo. “The club is in debt and we've got a chairman who wants to sell the club, so he's not really throwing money at it.

“The days of Kevin Keegan at Newcastle are gone, the days of top players coming to Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, they've all gone.

“There's a realisation in the North East, we've got to try and find that passion and I think that might come with nurturing the youngsters coming through.

"And I think the best place for Sunderland to do that might actually be in the Championship."