Exclusive: Ian Harte makes Sunderland promotion claim amid Sheffield United and Danny Rohl praise | OneFootball

FLW spoke exclusively to Ian Harte, who gave us his thoughts on Sunderland's potential this season.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Ian Harte has revealed his thoughts on Sunderland's start to the season, and his favourites for promotion, including the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield United.

Sunderland have had a fairly quiet, yet productive, window so far. There will be more to come in the final week of the window, but Blondy Nna Noukeu, Simon Moore, Ian Poveda, and Alan Browne have bolstered their ranks ahead of the campaign. However, perhaps retaining Jack Clarke is seen as the best bit of business to date regarding Sunderland.

After an underwhelming season of stagnation in the second tier in finishing 16th in the league, there were bound to be a number of changes behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light, with the futures of many players up for discussion in both the short and long-term.

The positive for Sunderland with a side full of pre-peak players is that there is every chance a handful of them hit another level in terms of their personal improvement as players. If enough of them hit a steep development curve, that is all that is required from just a few of them to raise the floor level of the squad up a notch, and turn the performances around.

The appointment of Le Bris has also brought some stability, which the club lacked towards the back end of last season, when they were managerless for months. Their start to the league season has also brought a new wave of positivity among the fanbase, despite concerns regarding the future of their star man in Clarke.

Ian Harte may be known more for his stints at the likes of Leeds United and Reading, but he made eight appearances for the Black Cats in the 2007/08 season. The Irishman may have long since retired and become a football agent, and one who represents Clarke, but remains confident about his former side's chances this season in an exciting and open-looking second tier.

Ian Harte on Sunderland and his other favourites for Championship promotion

Sunderland have started the new campaign extremely well, having won their opening two league fixtures by an aggregate score of six goals to nil against Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

There is renewed optimism at the Stadium of Light under Le Bris, and we asked Harte for his thoughts on their chances this season and for who his favourites for promotion are outside of Leeds. The 46-year-old has an eye on Sheffield United as a potentially very exciting side under Chris Wilder.

Harte declined to comment on the future of his client, Jack Clarke, but had positive words to say on Sunderland's promotion hopes.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World via Free Bets, Harte said: "The new manager has come in and to win the first two difficult games is great – away at Cardiff with a clean sheet, and at home the other day against Sheffield Wednesday.

"I have to say, that the Sheffield Wednesday manager is brilliant as well.

"Sunderland themselves were very good, organised, and started the game very well. "They got the three quick goals which took it away from Sheffield Wednesday. "They (Sunderland) will be strong but Sheffield United will be as well. They have recruited very well.

"I think it's going to be a good season and an exciting season (for those sides). I'm really looking forward to it."

Sunderland's 2024/25 aspirations

A young core with a new manager, and a few extra quality senior heads within the playing squad, could see the Black Cats jump from mid-table into the promotion race fairly quickly next year.

Sunderland are also one of the most interesting projects in the EFL this summer, and could well be in for a season more akin to 2022/23 than the disappointment of this season, in 2024/25.

However, to do so, it is imperative they retain their mercurial talent in Clarke. His quality is key to their success, as he can often be the decisive man in big moments.

Sunderland's main man is a force of nature at times, having developed rapidly in a red and white shirt and it feels as though his fate and the club's success are intrinsically linked at this moment in time.

With not long left in the window, there would be little time to source the lat few pieces of the puzzle and his replacement, and they will be desperate not to sell themselves short.