Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has given his thoughts on the club's interest in striker Jerry Yates.

Focus at the Stadium of Light has now turned to the 2020/21 season after the decision to end the League One season via a points-per-game system. The Black Cats finished eighth in the league standings and therefore missed out on a play-off place.

Preparations will now get underway for next term as manager Phil Parkinson looks to make several changes to his squad over the summer transfer window.

Gaining pace in terms of interest is the rumour that Sunderland are looking to make a move for former Swindon Town loanee Yates. The 23-year-old striker scored 13 goals in 31 games on loan with the Robins in League Two and is available on a free transfer at the end of June due to his contract expiration with Rotherham.

When asked by Football Insider if Yates would be able to step up and play League One football with Sunderland, Phillips said: “I do not think it is a huge jump.

“There is always a slight concern jumping up a league. I had it when I jumped from the Championship to the Premier League and I did not struggle.

“Sunderland will do their homework and they will not make a move unless they believed he was up to it. They will do their background checks and they will analyse videos until they are blue in the face.

“At Sunderland he would be playing with a better class of players and get more chances.

“The kid knows where the back of the net is so it could turn out to be a real good signing.

“Look at me when I went to Sunderland. No one had heard of me but I did not turn out too bad! It would be a slight gamble but quite possibly a chance worth taking.”

Parkinson must ensure that he brings in the right players this summer to avoid the potential of a third successive failure to get out of League One.

Yates has impressed with Swindon and he would relish the chance of stepping up to League One, although he may not seem like the most exciting acquisition among Sunderland fans whose patience at the club's recent decline must be wearing extremely thin.

The Stadium of Light faithful could be expecting to see a number of experienced and proven players arrive through the club's doors this summer.

Do you think Jerry Yates would be a good signing for Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below...