plans have been unveiled to create a direct rail link to Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
Club chairman Bob Murray believes that one of the two Metro stations due to open near the 48,000-seat stadium can be made capable of accommodating Inter City carriages.
The club has outlined its hopes to Metro operator Nexus.
"Imagine what an advert it would be for Sunderland, and how attractive a trip it would be for visiting fans, if our proposals were realised," said Mr Murray.
However, Nexus director general Mike Parker said the cost of bringing the station up to main line standard could run into the multi-millions.
"The possibility of stopping trains there is not as easy as it sounds," he said.
The Stadium and St Peter's stations are to open early next year
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