SUNDERLAND have issued advice to supporters concerned with potential delivery problems of match tickets caused by the national postal strike.

To have tickets sent by post for their upcoming Premier League match at Birmingham City and at home to Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, orders must be processed by 5pm this evening, Tuesday October 20.

The club have advised supporters to book and collect tickets early as the national postal strike threatens to disrupt deliveries.

All tickets purchased after this time will only be available for collection from the Stadium of Light ticket office.

The national strike and local disruptions are expected to hit domestic and commercial deliveries on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October.

Supporters are also reminded that tickets will still be available for the trip to Birmingham City until 12 noon on Friday October 23, while those wanting tickets for the Carling encounter with Aston Villa next Tuesday can still order tickets in person, by contacting the Sunderland AFC Ticket Hotline on 0871 911 1973 or on www.safc.com.

Tickets for the Carling Cup clash will be discounted at just £15 for adults, £5 for under-16s and over-65s and just £25 for Black Cats Bar entry until Monday October 26 before returning to £20 for adults, £10 for under-16s and over-65s and £30 for Black Cats Bar on matchday.

Cash turnstiles will also be in operation at £20 entry with no concessions available.