Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has urged Connor Wickham to make the decision over his future with the club himself.

The 21-year-old is out of contract with the Black Cats next summer, but could sign a pre-contract agreement with a European side in January, leaving the Wearsiders with a minimal compensation package.

Poyet has insisted that Wickham will not be dropped from his starting lineup, but he has advised the striker to make the choice over his future himself, rather than be swayed by other people.

He told reporters: "Connor is still playing, there has been no ban. I've not said if you don't sign you don't play. There hasn't been different treatment, but he needs to make a decision that's best for his career. If he wants to go somewhere else and play in Europe, fine, that's his decision.

"My advice is to make the decision yourself. Of course listen to your parents, girlfriend, best friend, his agent. With all the information they give you, make the decision yourself.

"Sometimes people don't want to agree. They want to play a certain way. They want to tell you we will take him to Europe so the club has to pay us less compensation. Fair enough, we know who we are dealing with. You know who you are dealing with for the rest of your life, not just one deal. It's not a problem, everyone has a reputation."

Wickham has scored once in the Premier League for Sunderland this season.