Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris(Image: SmartFrame/Every Second Media)

Former Premier League title-winning captain Tim Sherwood reckons Sunderland are on course for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

But suggestions they could be in the title race are well wide of the mark according to the ex-Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.

Like other pundits, Sherwood has been left open-mouthed at the Black Cats’ start to the campaign. Speaking on Sky Sports News, Sherwood shut down any title talk although interestingly, Sunderland are one point better off than Leicester City when they won a historic title triumph back in 2016.

While Sherwood doesn’t think that will happen, he is convinced that the Black Cats will have more than enough to avoid the drop.

Sherwood said: “I think they finish mid-table. At the beginning of the season – and I won’t be alone with this – I thought they would get relegated.

"I think their recruitment has been absolutely outstanding. Granit Xhaka has been deciding in the summer for me.

“So, you can look forward, Sunderland fans, to another season in the Premier League...