Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has tipped the club to sell striker Charlie Wyke this summer and bring in a new goalscorer.

After failing to gain promotion from League One this season, Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson is expected to make several changes to his squad.

Finishing eighth in the third tier, the Black Cats missed out on promotion to the Championship for a second successive season and the pressure will firmly be on Parkinson to improve certain areas of his squad.

One area which will need improvement is in Parkinson's attack, having seen the likes of Wyke struggle to find consistent scoring form, netting just five goals in 27 league games.

Rumours of an exit for the striker had emerged last month with League One rivals Ipswich Town said to be interested in making a move.

Phillips, who frequently addresses Sunderland matters for Football Insider, has revealed that he believes Wyke will be sold and that a new striker will be signed. He said:

“It would not be bad business if they sold Wyke and used it to sign another striker.

“Charlie has done well in spells this season but they need an out and out goalscorer and he is not that. He gives them a different option.

“If there was a chance to free some money up and bring in a different type of striker, I would do that. Going into a fresh season it is an area that Sunderland need to look at.”

Aside from Wyke, Sunderland's other main striker Will Grigg also struggled in the most recent campaign, netting just one goal in 20 games.

Parkinson must decide whether or not to sell the two strikers this summer and start afresh, and it could make sense to do the latter.

Both Wyke and Grigg have failed to find the net with regularity and it could be difficult to trust in them for next season. Therefore, Phillips is right to call for changes in that department.

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