Sunderland midfielder Jeff Whitley has earned a new deal with The Black Cats.
Sunderland midfielder Jeff Whitley has earned a new deal with The Black Cats.The Northern Irish star has seen his deal extended by another 12 months, after a clause in his contract kicked in.
Whitley needed to play a percentage of games for the club before he could land a fresh contract and that has now happened.
"Jeff Whitley has now played his agreed percentage of games - 26 matches," said manager Mick McCarthy.
"There can be all sorts of stipulations in a contract and that particular one I put in and it's worked well because he's earned his contract.
"Players should earn their contracts, I read the other day about a player after a long-term deal at a club but without having really done as much as he could to justify it."
Meanwhile, Sunderland could step up their interest in Lincoln star Gareth MacAuley.
The former Coleraine defender only moved to Sincil Bank in the summer, but has made a huge impact and a number of clubs have been watching.
The Black Cats, who are no strangers to signing players from the lower leagues, are now understood to be lining up a six-figure offer.
