Sunderland players face major wage reductions should they be relegated.
The Daily Mail says a host of the Black Cats' playing squad have clauses inserted into their contracts that will trigger hefty pay cuts if they are relegated.
The percentage of the wage reduction is believed to vary between players.
Furthermore, it can also be revealed that Sunderland players are also virtually certain to miss out on a cut of a seven-figure end of season bonus kitty.
Each member of the squad would receive a percentage from the cash bundle if they had finished in the top half of the table - a scenario which is hugely unlikely given their precarious position.