Tony Mowbray insists the 'wheels are in motion' for Sunderland's summer recruitment drive - even though the club does not yet know in which division it will be competing next season. The Black Cats secured a top six finish on the final day of the Championship season to book a play-off place, with the first leg of their semi-final against Luton Town set to take place at the Stadium of Light tomorrow evening.
And, as it stands, Sunderland do not know whether they will be gearing up for a second season in the Championship, or looking to make the giant leap into the Premier League just 12 months after winning promotion from League One. The return against Luton takes place on Tuesday night and, if Sunderland lose over two legs, they can start to prepare for another Championship campaign.
But if they reach Wembley, the uncertainty will go on until the final takes place on May 26. Yet Sunderland cannot afford to put their recruitment plans on hold and Mowbray is being kept in touch with developments even as he readies his team for the games against Luton - although, if Sunderland did win promotion, they would then be looking in a very different marketplace.
