Date when Sunderland will know whether they're 'in business' for promotion push

Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman believes the next 15 games will define the club’s promotion hopes and he warned: “Whether they can maintain a challenge for automatic promotion remains to be seen."

The 58-year-old Sky Sports EFL expert also thinks Jordan Henderson returning to the club would be a “brilliant addition” while he also says the Black Cats should not let Dennis Cirkin leave the club.

Speaking to Gambling Zone Goodman said: “Before a ball was kicked, anyone connected with Sunderland would have snapped your hand off for a guaranteed play-off push. That’s what this start has given them. Whether they can maintain a challenge for automatic promotion is yet to be seen. There are some good teams chasing them but they’ve played 15 matches, sit top of the league, look like a really good Championship team and are unbeaten in eight matches.

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“They play Middlesbrough away on February 3 and if they’re in and around the automatic promotion spots at that point, then they are in business. I think they have a really good run-in, so these next 12-15 games could be critical.

“The Championship is not as strong as last season and there’s an opportunity for someone to surprise us. Sunderland would be a surprise after last season and appointing an unknown quantity in Regis Le Bris.

“But there are bigger tests to come. They’ve only played five games against teams in the top-half compared to 10 games against bottom-half sides. I think they’re guaranteed a play-off push but we’ll see what’s possible after the next 12-15 games with regards to an automatic challenge.”

On Henderson’s link to the club Goodman added: “Jordan Henderson has started six of 11 league games for Ajax ([and was involved in 10], so it’s not a given that he’ll leave. But there are so many reasons why he’d be a brilliant addition for Sunderland or any Championship team.

“He’s a Sunderland boy and his leadership and know-how would be absolutely invaluable for Sunderland in their current situation. Such a young group would learn so much from someone like Jordan Henderson. Any potential transfer can only be a positive thing for Sunderland.”

As for speculation surrounding Cirkin and Leeds United, Goodman suggested: “I would love to think that there is no way in the slightest Sunderland would allow Dennis Cirkin to leave in their current situation, especially to Leeds [a definite promotion rival].

“He’s one of the best left-backs in the Championship and scored a great goal against Coventry at the weekend. He would be a brilliant addition for Leeds but I’m not sure I can see it happening.

“After selling Jack Clarke in the summer, it would cause uproar amongst Sunderland fans if they sold another one of their young stars. I can see why Leeds would be interested but, if I was Sunderland, I’d be having none of it.”