Chris Coleman has stressed that players' reputations will mean little when it comes to picking the Sunderland team each week.

The Black Cats, who were in the Premier League just last year, are in real danger of falling to a second relegation in a row, sitting second from bottom in the Championship table.

Coleman took the job at the Stadium of Light in November following a fruitful six-year spell in charge of Wales which saw the nation reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

The 47-year-old is clear that previous experience and reputations count for little when it comes to team selection and is eager to simply pick the players who have done best in training.

"Whatever the players have done before, I can only pick a team based on what I see through the week," Coleman told the Sunderland Echo. "I look at the players' mentality and physicality, and of course technically I know what they can do, and I will pick and prepare what I think is the best team.

"I'm not bothered if they have no international caps, 15 caps, or 50, if they've played in the Premier League or not, I will pick the team that I think is best ready for the next opposition. One or two will be disappointed from week to week, but I like that – it shows that they care.

"I look at individuals and ask whether they can fit into my game-plan, and if I feel they can then they will get a chance. I think that's just me doing my job properly. I can't comment on what has happened before me, last year or the year before with certain players, I can only go with what I see."

Up next for Sunderland is a trip to Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.