Sunderland remain in the hunt for Europa League qualification, despite recent departures and the setback of a home defeat against EPL title holders Chelsea this week.

And the sixth-placed Black Cats’ march on Europe was, possibly, boosted last week with the appointment to the board of former Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Manager Steve Bruce criticised his side’s defending after their 4-2 loss to the Blues this week in a pulsating encounter.

He admitted it was a “breathtaking match” but added: “If there’s one thing I’m disappointed with it is the fact that we have gifted them goals.

“We gave away a soft penalty and a soft second goal…even their third and fourth goals, for me, they were bad goals to give away. It’s hard enough playing Chelsea without giving goals away like that.”

In the wake of striker Darren Bent’s departure, Sunderland also allowed out-of-favour Ireland international midfielder to join EPL rivals Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

Meanwhile, Bruce added two new players to his squad. Former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari and Paris Saint Germain wideman Stephane Sessegnon have joined.

Ghanaian Muntari is on-loan from Italian giants Inter until the end of the season. Sessegnon has signed on a permanent basis from Paris Saint Germain – making a crowd-pleasing debut against Chelsea.

And defeated Labour Party leadership candidate Miliband has become a non-executive vice-chairman. The 45-year-old is MP for South Shields, only a few miles from Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

Sunderland visit Stoke City in the EPL this coming Saturday lunchtime