PROMOTION-chasing football stars reckon their season could be wrecked - by a ghost.

Players at Sunderland FC have seen a mysterious spectre stalking the training ground.

Two physios have chased the shadowy apparition down dimly-lit corriders and one of the Championship side's stars ran off following a similar incident.

Striker Marcus Stewart said: "What made me think it's true, is Stephen Elliott has seen it.

"He's adamant that he's seen something."

The alleged sighting coincided with Sunderland's home defeat by Reading last Saturday - ending a run of eight straight wins.

The ghostly figure has also been spotted by backroom staff in the corridors of the training academy in Whitburn, South Tyneside.

Mick McCarthy's men travel to Ipswich tomorrow for a crucial table-topping clash and will be hoping the unlucky spirit doesn't follow them.

The training ground was built on the ruins of an 18th Century farmhouse owned by the Holmes family, and is skirted by a stream known as Cut Throat Dene.

It is thought the ghost roaming the corridors could be that of an infamous recluse called Spottee, an 18th Century wrecker, who would guide ships onto the rocks at Whitburn and plunder their cargo.