The clear-out begins…

Despite being managerless and awaiting a new chairman, Sunderland today began the process of culling the playing squad following relegation from the Premiership.

Scotland Under-21 midfielder Martin Woods was todsy released after only 12 months on Wearside.

The 20-year-old arrived was signed by Mick McCarthy from Leeds last summer but will not be offered a new contract, after making just eight appearances for the club, his only one start coming in the Carling Cup defeat by Arsenal in October.

He follows goalkeeper Joe Murphy’s free transfer move to Scunthorpe at the weekend.

While Niall Quinn might be bringing millionaires with him to Sunderland, today’s developments show that cost-cutting measures are still being implemented and with Sunderland set to announce their retained list later this week Woods and Murphy are not expected to be the last to leave Wearside.