Northern Ireland midfielder released by Championship club

Evans returned to action last month after more than a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury. The 34 year-old played three games for the Black Cats before the end of the season.

Evans joined Sunderland from Blackburn Rovers in 2021, playing 33 times in the club’s League One promotion-winning campaign. He was a regular starter in the Championship last term before suffering his cruciate knee injury in the January victory over Middlesbrough.

That injury would sideline Evans for 15 months for both club and country. It’s hoped that the midfielder will make his long-awaited international return next month for Northern Ireland’s friendly double-header against Spain and Andorra.