Sunderland expect Wickham to sign new contract

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet wants Connor Wickham to confirm his long term commitment to the Black Cats and sign a new contract with the club. Wickham enjoyed a rich vein of form at the end of last season.

There has been some indication that other Premier League teams are interested in Wickham, including Chelsea and Tottenham; leading Sunderland manager Poyet to warn the striker that he needs to sign a new contract or risk being sold this summer.

The forward is pushing for international honours and is apparently ready to leave Sunderland if an offer is made.

"For me, Connor's situation is clear, he needs to sign a new contract or we let him go. We sell him," Poyet quipped.

"There is nothing in between. He is an asset to the football club and we paid a lot of money for him. Last year, he was a key part of us staying up and he was very important but he needs to realise that the club needs to look after the interests of the football club as well. I suppose that, one way or the other, we are going to have an agreement."