Will Grigg made his comeback to pitch for Sunderland in the recent defeat to Bristol Rovers, but prior to that Phil Parkinson had deemed him unworthy of featuring since a draw with Blackpool in December.

The Northern Ireland international was also a player the Black Cats aimed to get rid of in the January transfer window, just a year on from his £4m move from Wigan.

That was a deal the club were desperate to get over the line, too, having been knocked back by the Latics on several occasions.

The fact Grigg has declined so much shows how calamitous the move has been, and even a change in manager – Parkinson replacing Jack Ross – has failed to change fortunes. In fact, it has made things worse.

Sunderland’s other strikers haven’t exactly covered themselves with glory – Charlie Wyke’s five league goals is the most from that area of the squad – but Grigg’s return of one goal in 20 league games this term is simply atrocious for a player of his calibre.

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He has no doubt been a flop, and the image below encapsulates his season as a whole.

That photo was taken just after the 28-year-old missed a crucial spot-kick in the League Cup penalty shoot-out against Oxford, which ultimately ended in defeat and prevented the north-east outfit progressing to the quarter-finals.

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It is difficult to envisage what the future now holds for Grigg, especially as he has missed a lot of football recently, but one thing for certain is that he has a lot to do to make it up to the supporters he has disappointed.

Meanwhile, Sunderland fans have also been discussing the future of another player in the squad whose possible departure may mean a bit more…