Sunderland release eight players

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has begun his summer cull by telling eight players he will not be renewing their deals.

Veteran striker Andy Cole, along with defenders Ian Harte, Stanislav Varga and Stephen Wright have all been released, as have four youngsters.

Keane vowed to shake up his squad after securing the club's Premier League future for next season.

He now reportedly wants the Sunderland board to give him another £50m to bring in new players for the next campaign.

Keane said: "I have sat down with Andy, Ian, Stephen and Stan and they won't be getting new contracts."

Cole and Varga had only just returned to training with Sunderland from their respective loan spells at Burnley.

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"Dwight Yorke is still negotiating, but more of a coach role"
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Cole, 36, joined up with his former Manchester United team-mate Keane on a one-year deal last summer but only made five appearances for the Black Cats.

Former Leeds player Harte was also brought in by Keane, who he played alongside for the Republic of Ireland, in 2007.

Varga joined Sunderland from Celtic in 2006, while Wright joined from Liverpool in 2002 for £3m and recently had a spell on loan at Stoke.

Academy graduates Jack Pelter, Gavin Donoghue, Billy Dennehy and Jake Richardson have also been told they must find new clubs.

Veteran midfielder Dwight Yorke is still in negotiations over a new deal.

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