PHIL PARKINSON insists that a photograph on social media showing Aiden McGeady appearing to eat a McDonald’s is not the only factor that has led to the Sunderland winger being told to look for a new club.

In Parkinson’s most honest and damning interview since taking over from Jack Ross at the Stadium of Light, the under-fire manager has described how one of the biggest challenges he faces is repairing a fractured dressing room.

While he stopped short of suggesting McGeady was integral to that, the experienced former Everton and Celtic playmaker has clearly ruffled his manager during his first couple of months in charge.

The situation was compounded after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Gillingham when the 33-year-old wide-man was an unused substitute. The player came under fire from a section of fans at Priestfield, apparently unhappy with his half-time warm-up along with team-mate Chris Maguire.

The pair were then pictured on social media together wearing club tracksuits eating, with claims that it was a McDonald’s on the way home from Gillingham. The club have not commented specifically on the timings or what it was.

Parkinson said: “I got sent the picture. Obviously it’s not professional, is it? So it’s not helpful, but that is not the sole reason why this decision has been made.

“To be fair to Chrissy, in the last three weeks he’s been doing extra training every single day. He’s losing weight, he’s getting himself fitter, which he needs to do, and he’s buying into what we’re asking him to do. I’m pleased with that.”

Without going into the specifics of the reasons for telling McGeady he can leave this week, Parkinson is adamant he had to make the call in the best interests of trying to turn Sunderland’s poor form around.

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

It has been suggested since that McDonald’s photo there was also an incident on Tuesday at the Academy of Light involving McGeady but details are sketchy and club sources have played such claims down.

Parkinson has admitted 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 – to go 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.”

Sunderland’s woeful form which has seen them win just two of their first 12 matches under Parkinson has seen them drop down the table and out of two cups. Parkinson has sensed improvements can be made in terms of team spirit in the dressing room.

Parkinson added: “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.

“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.

"I've got to make sure that we get this group right because there is still a large chunk of the season left and I'm going to do everything I can to formulate that spirit and that togetherness and that drive which is needed.”

Sunderland have a lot of problems and uncertainty on and off the pitch right now, and Parkinson – knowing there are already calls for him to be replaced – is intent on improving the situation.

"Like I said, the little rifts can become bigger when you're on a bad run of results. But in a football team, or any team sport, you need everybody pulling together every day in training, every minute of every game, and that's what we need,” he said.

"I feel going forward we've got to create a culture and a work ethic within the club. I think that's really important. I think the supporters realise that over a long period.  "We've got to make sure that we don't just rely on quality. That's great, but you need the work ethic all through the team as well to win games. It's up to me to find a resolution to that. I am working very hard to do that.”

Sunderland will need to start well to avoid a negative atmosphere from the crowd on Saturday when Blackpool, under former boss Simon Grayson, are looking to stay in touch with the top two.

Lynden Gooch will be available again, 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.

It will be hoped both Wyke, Gooch and McNulty can all make Sunderland more dangerous in the final third during a period when even a play-off place is slipping away.

“There is more to come from within the group, like I say people have come back to training pitch, Wyke and McNulty back last week, Gooch back this week. We need to do more. I am confident there is more to come.

“Blackpool will be a tough game. They have a lot of experience and League One players.. They got a good result against Fleetwood. They are a strong team and they will be fancied.

“I was very disappointed to concede so late as we did on Saturday, very tough match. Did we create enough in the match?  "The goal we had disallowed was frustrating for us, it needed to give us a lift. Hugely disappointing we didn’t defend the set play late on so we didn’t come away with something at least."