PHIL PARKINSON has confirmed Aiden McGeady has almost certainly played his last game for Sunderland after being told to find a new club in January.

McGeady, who still has a further year of his contract to run after this season, has had discussions with Parkinson this week and he will not figure against Blackpool on Saturday.

The 33-year-old is known to have infuriated supporters after the defeat at Gillingham last weekend after appearing to eat at McDonald’s in his club tracksuit. Chris Maguire was pictured with him and the pair’s attitude has been questioned by fans.

It has been suggested since that there was an incident on Tuesday at the Academy of Light involving McGeady but that has not been confirmed by the manager.

Parkinson has admitted, though, that the 33-year-old – who is this season’s top scorer and last season’s player of the year - looks to have played his last game for Sunderland.

The Sunderland boss said: “We have spoken to Aiden about January and moving on, we feel it’s fair to tell him now, to sort something out.

"It gives me the opportunity to concentrate on the team going forward. I feel it’s the best decision for the team going forward.

“It is not one particular incident. It is a decision I have made. I wanted to tell Aiden and his agent so they can plan for January as well.”

Parkinson spoke of the need to get Sunderland creating more chances, so allowing McGeady – named one of the best players in League One last season – is a huge gamble at a time when the team sit 11th.

“it is a big decision but not one we have taken lightly,” said Parkinson. “I have given things a lot of thought and feel it’s right for the club.

"I said it is giving McGeady an opportunity to get something sorted, if you make the decision in January then sometimes it can be too late.”

There has been suggestions of growing splits within the dressing room at Sunderland, so was the McGeady situation a factor?

“When you are not winning a game there will be some disagreements. The unity in the dressing room is paramount to the club going forward. We have a good set of lads, pulling together, all frustrated and we are doing everything we can to turn it round,” said Parkinson.

“it can get better, and we need to work on that to formulate a spirit in the group, there is a core of very good lads and determination to get back to winning ways and take us into Christmas.”

He added: “When you are on a bad run, things like that emerge more. Is it the greatest dressing room I have been part of? Probably not. Can we find ways to improve the spirit, togetherness? Definitely. We have a good group and we are working towards that.”

Sunderland will have Lynden Gooch available again for the visit of Simon Grayson’s Blackpool, while Charlie Wyke and Marc McNulty returned to training last week. Defender Jordan Willis’ knee injury is being monitored, while Dylan McGeouch has a calf problem.