WITH Sunderland due to announce their retained list for next season today, midfielder Tommy Miller hopes there will not be wholesale changes to the squad.

Work on reconstructing the relegated Black Cats' pool of players will carry on over the next six weeks, despite the fact there will be no managerial appointment while Niall Quinn's consortium edges nearer a takeover.

It has become clear that Martin Woods will not be offered a new deal, while reserve goalkeeper Joe Murphy has already left for Scunthorpe.

The departure list is unlikely to stop there and with Kevin Kyle, Gary Breen and Grant Leadbitter all out of contract, there could be a number on their way out.

Eight Academy products - Ben Christensen, Ian Graham, Jay Martin, Michael Allan, Luke Ball, Kevin Davison, Craig McFarlane and Jake Richardson - were all released last night. And Billy Dennehy, who was signed on a youth team contract in January last year, will also not be given renewed terms.

There are even question marks over the futures of some of those under contract. Miller, for one, has been attracting interest from former club Ipswich Town, although the removal of manager Joe Royle could affect that.

The likes of Julio Arca and Dean Whitehead are also known to have been monitored by Premiership clubs, so the Sunderland squad are prepared for huge changes when they return to pre-season training on June 26.

"No-one knows what's happening. From the board to the manager and that filters down to the players as well, " said Miller.

"There are a few lads out of contract and a few who could be off so there could be a big turnaround.

"It's a case of waiting by the phone. We might not see those lads again who are out of contract and they might go to pastures new, nobody really knows.

"A few of the lads are attracting Premier League teams. I have another year on my contract so we will see. Even the date we are back to training could change. It's a really strange situation."

Miller feels there is a genuine case for optimism if the axe doesn't fall too severely, suggesting the squad is more than capable of being a force in the Championship.

On the basis of this season's dreadful showing in the Premiership, a lot needs to be done in the meantime for the former Hartlepool man to be proved right.

But he insists he will be. "The whole squad has got experience of this sort of level so we know we should be one of the better teams, " said the 27-year-old.

"Myself and Kelvin Davis spent years at Ipswich so we know what it's about. But it will be a tough league, the sides who have come down with us will be strong in that division. Then there's the likes of Southampton, who are kicking on a bit, and Crystal Palace after they lost out in the play-offs.

"As long as we keep the nucleus of the squad together, we will do well. We are quietly confident we can do well."

Miller's first season at the Stadium of Light may have ended in disastrous fashion, winning just three league games, but he realises just how important it is to reward the club's long-suffering fans with something to cheer about.

Despite Sunderland's failings the supporters continued to turn out in their thousands and Miller said: "The fans have been great throughout. The fact there has been such intense talk of Niall Quinn taking over the club has rejuvenated those who had begun to lose hope.

"They have stayed with us through thick and thin and they deserve a pat on the back for everything they have been through.

"They have still managed to come out singing."