BILLY JONES has become a regular under David Moyes and the hard-working full-back has outlined a wish to stay to help Sunderland back to the Premier League before he leaves.

The 30-year-old accepts the focus has already turned towards preparing for a season in the Championship and there will be significant changes to Moyes’ squad before the start of the new campaign.

But Jones is still under contract and not one of the higher earners so there is every chance he will still be at the Stadium of Light when things restart in August.

And his wish is to help Sunderland make a quick return to the top-flight after such a depressing and frustrating time.

He said: “I have a season left and when my time comes to an end at Sunderland, I want to be part of hopefully a promotion. I’ve got that one season to do that.

“Like I always say to family and friends, the day I retire from Sunderland I hope to come back and see them as a Premier League team and the top-ten team the club deserve and the fans deserve.”

Such a wish seems fanciful after yet another campaign of struggle, only this time Sunderland were unable to pull off another Great Escape.

There are huge question marks over the futures of the players, with ten first-team squad members all coming to the end of their deals (including three season long loans).

It is by no means certain Moyes will be in charge either, although he has hinted he would like to stay if Ellis Short – who had told the Scot he would like him to lead them next season – explains a good vision for the club in a meeting in a couple of weeks’ time.

Short has been looking to sell up for more than a year which has cast further uncertainty on the club and relegation has not helped.

Jones, likely to keep his place when Swansea head to Wearside on Saturday, said: “Promotion must be the aim. As a group of players we expect that from ourselves and I’m sure the club do as well.

“I’m sure the club are looking at that and will be working hard over the summer to try to make sure the club has got the best squad possible to try to do that within the Championship.”

Two of the biggest problems could be replacing Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford. Defoe is free to leave because of a relegation clause in his lucrative contract while Pickford is sought after by a number of Premier League clubs.

West Ham, who have previously shown an interest in Lamine Kone too, have been credited with an interest in doing a double deal for Defoe and Pickford.

The pair were recognised at the Sunderland Supporters’ awards on Monday. Defoe was voted the player of the year for a second successive season, after scoring another 15 league goals. Pickford was named the young player of the year after establishing himself as Sunderland’s No 1.

Defoe said: “It’s really special to be voted for by the fans and everyone knows what a special relationship I have with them, so I’m really thankful to everyone for voting for me again.”

And Pickford said: “It feels really good, especially if you look at the list of young players that have won this award and what they’ve gone on to do – it just shows hard work pays off.

“Hearing the fans sing my name through this season has been really great, and it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when they’re shouting your name week in, week out. So without doubt, it’s a massive privilege for myself and my family to receive this from the fans.”

Danielle Brown was named by fans as the Sunderland Ladies’ young player of the year and centre-back Hayley Sharp was handed the overall player of the year award.

Former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat, meanwhile, has been named the Holland boss for the third time.