DJIBRIL CISSE could have made his last start for Sunderland after the striker’s agent confirmed he won’t be staying on Wearside once his loan deal expires this summer.

Despite Kenwyne Jones limping out of last Saturday’s battling draw at Bolton, the Trinidad and Tobago forward is expected to recover in time to face Portsmouth on Monday.

Ricky Sbragia’s 4-5-1 formation served him well at the Reebok where Sunderland’s dominance in midfield almost saw them take the points.

The Black Cats boss is likely to continue with a five-man midfield for the trip to Fratton Park where the work-rate of Teemu Tainio and Grant Leadbitter will be preferred to Cisse’s sporadic attacking threat.

Cisse faces a huge battle to earn a place in the starting line-up for Sunderland’s final two games of the season that are also likely to be the Frenchman’s last appearances in Sunderland colours.

Any suggestion the Wearsiders will turn Cisse’s loan deal from Marseille into a permanent agreement were dealt another blow by the his agent’s latest announcement.

Ranko Stojic told French newspaper L’equipe: “Djibril will not remain at Sunderland after the season has finished.

“We have an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for Djibril to sign a 12-month contract. He will sign for Tottenham.”

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp denied any agreement had been reached but admitted he was looking to bolster his side.

“No we haven’t made any enquiries for anybody at the moment,’’ he said. “The squad has done very well, but I still feel we need to strengthen in one or two areas as a group if we are to look to push on and try to make sure we are a top six team.”

Cisse’s fate on Wearside will be academic should they fail to secure their top flight status.

And with Newcastle’s victory in Monday night’s Tyne- Tees derby boosting the Magpies’ bid for safety, Sunderland face the prospect of going in to the clash with Portsmouth, back in the bottom three.

Sbragia confirmed the importance of Tainio to his side as they edge toward safety.

“He gives us that Premier League experience when he sits in there,” noted Sbragia.

“Deano (Whitehead) did well too against Bolton. It is a concern when Tainio is waving over saying he has a little problem. I don’t want him to carry on with it because he has a long-standing knee problem. But when he plays we tend to play better and keep the ball better.”

The Finland international, who was replaced by Andy Reid in the 79th minute on Saturday, revealed the substitution was a tactical move and he will be in contention for Sunderland’s run-in.

“I was fine. I’d knocked my ankle a little bit but it was the manager’s choice.”

Sunderland have confirmed their 1,300 ticket allocation for game at Portsmouth has sold out.