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Dom Howson

'In our own hands' - Sunderland's League One rivals have their say on play-off battle

The League One play-off battle is set to go down to the wire. Sunderland know a win would guarantee them a play-off spot, but just two points separate Sheffield Wednesday (4th) and Wycombe Wanderers (7th) heading into the final weekend of the regular league season.

The Black Cats travel to Morecambe on Saturday lunchtime knowing a win will secure at the least fifth place, with fourth still available depending on Sheffield Wednesday's result at home to Portsmouth. The Shrimps are still battling to avoid relegation, however, so it will be far from easy.

It promises to be an enthralling final day in the third tier. It is all still to play for and all four play-off chasing bosses have had their say on the scrap to finish in the play-offs.

READ MORE: Sunderland boss Alex Neil waiting for news on two key defensive injuries

Sunderland - Alex Neil

Speaking after their 1-1 draw with Rotherham United, Neil said: "The key thing is that it is still in our own hands. Of course, we wanted to win the game but I always thought it was going to be a cagey one. But having things in our own hands going into the match is the perfect situation.

"We were playing against a Rotherham team that is playing to get promoted. The last team we played them we got smashed 5-1. If we think we are just going to rock up and beat them 4-0...

"First of all we had to make sure we didn't lose the game today, and second of all we wanted to keep things in our hands at all times."

Sheffield Wednesday - Darren Moore

"We’re not there yet," he said. "We have one more important game to go.

"To finish in the top six was the aim and that still stands so we have to hold our nerve on Saturday against a very good team. Portsmouth will come to Hillsborough to enjoy the occasion and we must be at the very top of our game to get the points we need.

Plymouth - Steven Schumacher

He said: "The players have got to put a performance in that is worthy to beat MK Dons. They are above us in the league, they have been brilliant all season and it will be a good game of football. I'm looking forward to it.

"It was a good game last time there, it was my first one in charge as a manager. I enjoyed that one and hopefully we can enjoy Saturday's one and put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.

"It's going to be some day. Home Park will be full and we are going to need the fans to get right behind us and make it a good atmosphere, like we know that they will, and hopefully we come out on the right side of it."

Wycombe Wanderers - Gareth Ainsworth

He said: "We need to do our job on Saturday. This club has gone from what it was once which was a financially struggling club that was nearly a Non League side to a League Two side where all we wanted to do was survive and get to League One, to be expected to be in and around the Championship I think is a huge success.

“Whether we make it or now, this is success for this club and I am so proud of the boys, fans, and staff who have made this happen.”

The top seven in League One

1 Wigan Athletic P 45 Pts 89 GD +35

2 Rotherham United P 45 Pts 87 GD +35

3 MK Dons P 45 Pts 86 GD +29

4 Sheffield Wednesday P 45 Pts 82 GD +25

5 Sunderland P 45 Pts 81 GD +25

6 Plymouth Argyle P 45 Pts 80 GD +25

7 Wycombe Wanderers P 45 Pts 80 GD +23

The final round of fixtures involving the top seven clubs are as follows:

Burton Albion vs Wycombe Wanderers

Gillingham vs Rotherham United

Morecambe vs Sunderland

Plymouth Argyle vs MK Dons

Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth

Shrewsbury Town vs Wigan Athletic

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