Ryan Noble Among Five Released By Sunderland

There's hell on on Wearside as Ryan Noble has been informed he is to be released by the club this summer as changes are made to the development squad.

Noble is by far the most experienced player to be on the list at the moment before the seniors learn their fate at the end of the season, with Ben Wilson, Anthony Callaghan, Wade Joyce and Adam Reed also on the list.

A once prolific scorer for the youths and reserves, many had hope that with his slight frame he could go on to emulate the success of Michael Bridges in a Sunderland shirt, alas this never happened as a series of loan moves around the lower divisions proved to be fruitless and unsuccessful for the lad. He'll be sure to find himself another club in the summer though.

Adam Reed also has league experience having most recently been on loan at Portsmouth before they opted to send him back and look at other options. He also is likely to get himself fixed up with a club having never made a breakthrough.

Youngster Wade Joyce was signed this summer but unfortunately hasn't panned out. He's currently on trial at Sheffield Wednesday as he looks to further his career. Anthony Callaghan and Ben Wilson barely registered a blip between them on the first team radar.

Surprisingly Craig Lynch has been given a new deal. Many expected him to move on with his contract expiring and having undergone recent trials in Holland and with Sheffield United, but the club has opted to keep him around.

Another who might turn heads is Billy Knott. The Londoner enters the make-or-break period of his development this season, and having undergone very successful loans in League Two and in the Conference it's time for a step up in class for him.

He'll be here next season along with Joel Dixon, John Egan, David Ferguson, Alejandro Gorrin, Scott Harrison, Jordan Laidler, Liam Marrs, Adam Mitchell, Connor Oliver and Jordan Watson - all of whom have been handed new deals.