Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has revealed that his side are in talks with Phil Bardsley and Jack Colback over new contracts at the Stadium of Light.
The pair are out of contract at the end of the season and Poyet is keen to keep them at the club after a series of impressive performances, but he has conceded that the departure of director of football Roberto De Fanti complicates matters.
He told The Journal: "We started negotiations a few weeks ago now. The situation with the negotiations has changed a little bit, because there's another person in charge - now that Roberto De Fanti has departed.
"Let's hope. It's important not to be too aggressive in terms of the contract because of the position we're in, and of course you need to be realistic. They'll say 'Let's wait, let's see where we finish'. It works both ways."
Sunderland face Stoke City in the Premier League on Wednesday.
