Sunderland transfer Q&A: The seven key questions guiding summer window preparations

And with the summer drawing ever closer, preparations for what will be a hugely important summer window regardless of how this season ends are stepping up.Here, we run through some of the key questions that will be guiding those preparations...

Which are the key positions that Sunderland need to target?

The starting point for Sunderland's summer window will be fairly straightforward. Above all else they need to strengthen their forward ranks, to ensure they avoid a repeat of the spells this season where without Ross Stewart they have lacked a player who can stretch the opposition defence and turn the chances those creative players forge into goals.

Generally the squad building under the new regime has been encouraging but four windows have now passed with a permanent addition being made up front. It is the hardest position in which to recruit, mainly because it is the position which requires the biggest level of investment. Sunderland need two arrivals, and supporters will expect at least one to be a permanent addition, avoiding or at least mitigating against the risk of the Ellis Simms recall scenario.

Sunderland will also surely need to add another natural defensive midfielder, as Corry Evans is highly unlikely to be fully fit when the season begins. In the longer run, it would also free Dan Neil to play further forward more often.

Sunderland's overarching transfer policy is unlikely to change this summer, with the focus by and large on talented youngsters and particularly when fees are paid. It's a policy generally supported by fans enjoying the standard of football on offer, and yet it is clear that some areas of the squad have to be better balanced and better stocked if many of those youngsters are to realise their potential in a successful team.

Does Ross Stewart's contract situation impact the plans?

Stewart has been focused on the early stages of his recovery but Speakman has said that the club will revisit contract talks.

Talks were at something of an impasse before the new year and it will be crucial for Sunderland's future planning to ascertain whether they are any closer to reaching an agreement.

The topic may not be attracting the same level of attention while Stewart is absent but it remains a vital one for the club.

Will Sunderland trigger Edouard Michut's option-to-buy clause?

Michut endured a frustrating first half of the campaign but has increasingly been a regular since the World Cup break, and is beginning to match his technical ability with a better grasp of the physical demands of the Championship.

Sunderland have the option to make his loan from PSG permanent, reportedly for an initial €2.5 million fee. Michut's contributions of late make that look like decent value, but the decision will of course be based on the broader budget and the need to invest in other positions.

Signing Michut would mean that with Neil, Pritchard, Ba, Ekwah, Matete et al - Mowbray's options in the number eight/ten roles would be starting from a very strong point - it's a decision fans seem broadly very keen for the board to make.

Is there a chance Premier League teams could swoop for any of the team's promising players?

One significant development over the international break was Dan Neil extending his contract until the summer of 2026, significantly strengthening the club's position ahead of the summer and giving the play a deserved reward for this efforts over the last 18 months.

Neil is one of a host of Sunderland players being closely scouted by Premier League clubs, which in itself is not a concern to the club who have always been clear that significant player sales will be a key part of their long-term strategy to grow the team by re-investing that money raised.

The key, clearly, is being prepared for when those moves happen. The summer might be a little soon for that but part of the scouting and data analysis' department key pieces of ongoing work will be to continually track players who could become an option if important players do depart.