Breen deemed surplus to Cats' requirements

With preparations for the forthcoming Championship campaign continuing despite ongoing takeover talks with a consortium led by former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn, the club's board will announce which players have been released following last season's relegation from the Premiership.

Two out-of-contract players were jettisoned at the weekend, with goalkeeper Joe Murphy joining Scunthorpe and midfielder Martin Woods leaving the Stadium of Light despite only moving from Leeds last summer.

Breen is expected to become the high-profile casualty of last season's relegation when the retained list is released tomorrow morning, despite the current Black Cats board having an option to extend his current deal by a further year.

The 32-year-old is one of the highest earners on Sunderland's books and it would be no surprise if he was deemed surplus to requirements as chairman Bob Murray looks to cut costs before finally severing his ties with the club.

Despite making 33 Premiership starts last season, Breen struggled to keep up with the pace of life in the top-flight.

He was ripped apart by Charlton striker Darren Bent on the opening day of the campaign, and found himself exposed on a number of subsequent occasions as Sunderland recorded just three Premiership successes all season.

He remains a valuable asset at Championship level but, with Steve Caldwell, Danny Collins and Neill Collins waiting in the wings, it would no surprise if he was allowed to leave Wearside.

The same applies to teenage fullback Dan Smith, another player who is out of contract at the end of the month.

Of the two other players whose current deal is about to expire, midfielder Grant Leadbitter has been promised a new contract, although he may choose to consider his options elsewhere, while striker Kevin Kyle will also be retained.

Kyle agreed a one-year option when they invested in his rehabilitation from a long-term hip injury last summer.