RELEGATED Sunderland have asked their rejects to accept pay deferrals until they leave the Stadium of Light.

But chief executive Hugh Roberts yesterday dismissed suggestions that the move has been prompted by fears that the Black Cats are in danger of going into administration.

On the day manager Mick McCarthy confirmed that Sweden defender Joachim Bjorklund is the latest player to be handed a free transfer, the impact of relegation was underlined again as the club sought to implement another desperate cost-cutting measure.

With their debts climbing towards £30m, Sunderland want a number of players deemed surplus to agree to put part of their pay on hold as a gesture of goodwill, until they secure moves.

The club say it will save "a significant six-figure sum on wages per month''.

But Roberts, who is himself quitting Sunderland, insisted the Wearsiders are not heading for the type of financial crises experienced by the likes of Derby, Leicester and Bradford following the drop into Division One.

He said: "Because of the difficulties some other clubs have faced in the past, there have been the predictable financial rumours about administration.

"These are simply unfounded, though, and do not reflect our current financial position.

"We are simply adopting a pragmatic approach to the reality of life outside the Premier League, but there is no likelihood that the club will go into administration."

McCarthy last month told defenders Emerson Thome and Phil Babb and goalkeeper Thomas Myhre that they could go on free transfers, and 32-year-old Bjorklund - signed by former manager Peter Reid from Venezia for £1.5m in early 2002 - now falls into the same category.

The Black Cats' boss has held one-on-one talks with every player and reassured those whose futures still lie at Sunderland that they have key role to play in next season's promotion push.

"There are different issues for different players," he explained. "There are those players who are certain to stay at the club, those who have a value and those who do not fit in my plans or have as much value in transfer terms.

"I've spoken to all the players personally so that they all know where they stand. I've had the younger ones in, to make sure they know they're part of my plans, and to encourage them. I've also spoken to those players who I think will have a major role to play in our promotion push next season.

"I also think it's only fair to tell those players who don't fit into my plans. And in some cases we've agreed that the club will not be looking for a fee to help the players find new clubs."

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