PHIL PARKINSON is no fan of social media. In the world of instant reaction, the Sunderland manager steers clear of the platforms.

Perhaps it’s just as well given the vitriol typed his way after recent results, as the Black Cats flounder in League One and were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first round stage.

In the world of Twitter and Facebook, players and managers are rubbished within minutes of any mistake, bad performance or defeat.

Parkinson was on the end of plenty of stick at the Stadium of Light last time out, as his side were beaten 2-1 by Burton Albion.

The Sunderland boss was hounded by the home faithful just 11 games into his tenure on Wearside at the final whistle.

And perhaps it’s just as well he doesn’t use his phone for browsing social media and supporter messageboards given the nature of the comments aimed at him and his players.

“Do I read it? No I don’t at all,’’ he mused. “Any manager or player going on social media is foolish. In all honesty, people don’t go on social media to say positive things.

“I have a rule myself, throughout all my managerial career and at the back end of my playing career when messageboards and the likes started to come in that I’ve never ever gone on it.’’

The midfielder retired at Reading on 2002. At that time, social media was unheard of, supporters using messageboards and forums to offer their opinions. Even then, they were more reasoned than today’s outlook.

He’s taken charge of over 750 games since becoming a manager and added: “The people at the club keep me informed of anything relevant I need to know when it comes to speaking to the press.

“I advise my players the same, to stay off it. Whether they listen or not, I don’t know. But they should block it all out and concentrate on what they do in training and in 90 minutes on a Saturday.

“It’s got to have an impact on their lives. Any person going to work, if they get criticised how they do their job and it’s a constant thing going on in the back of their mind, it’s going to affect you if you work on a building site or office if you are constantly being fed negative feedback.

“For the players and staff it’s best to keep away from it, like I said it’s important the people at the club monitor it so we know.’’

There has been, however, a positive aspect to consider.

A Go Fund Me page set up by Roker Report, the respected Sunderland supporters’ website, aimed to raise £2,000 for the Sunderland Foodbank and the Community Soup Kitchen.

The funds have since passed £11,000 after Sunderland striker Duncan Watmore and his family put £1,000 to the running total.

A Roker Report tweet said: “Thank you to the Watmore family, who have donated £1000 which will go straight to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen rather than to our GoFundMe page.

“What a superb gesture. This money will change lives.”

And Parkinson added: “That's obviously a very good point. Duncan Watmore's family donated some money to that as well, which I think is great from Duncan and his family. Of course, especially coming up to Christmas, it's so important to look at people who are less fortunate than ourselves, and that campaign shows that social media can be used for good also.’’

Charlie Wyke and Marc McNulty have this week made their return to training ahead of tomorrow’s game at Gillingham.

Wyke has been out with an ankle ligament injury – and two weeks ago suffered a minor setback that pegged his return – while McNulty has been beset by hamstring problems.

The strikers have been on the training ground at the Academy of Light this week after the players had a free weekend following last Tuesday’s home defeat to Burton.

Parkinson said: “To have that time without a game has been good. The lads had the weekend off and trained up to the weekend, which I felt was important. We had a good few days on the training ground and I’ve been pleased with the team and how the injured players have looked when they came back.

“Charlie and Marc have trained this week, with no reaction which is great news for us. Goochy is coming closer which is positive and it’s good to have a couple of strikers back in training.

“The physio is pleased with Goochy and we hope he’s back training next week or so.’’

Maguire is more likely to be involved tomorrow, but Parkinson is looking forward to Wyke leading his line over the Christmas programme.

He added: “Charlie is important, I didn’t manage him at Bradford and not worked with him before but we tried to sign him at Bolton when he left Bradford.

“He can hold the ball up, has good awareness about him. Running-wise he’s in good shape and we need options at the top of the pitch. As a manager you look at situations and we need that firepower and options to change it around and Charlie and Sparky (Maguire) help that.’’