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Stewart Donald has admitted very few Sunderland players have said they want to stay at the club next season.

The Black Cats’ new owner has also revealed they will replace the faded pink seats at the Stadium of Light.

Donald has been very clear he does not want those who are not committed to being at the Stadium of Light, but the indications are that most are rushing for the exits. The businessman, who has been equally adamant he will not sell players for less than they are worth, is expecting a big overhaul of the squad this summer after consecutive relegations have seen them drop into League One.

Donald responded to a question on Twitter by saying: “There are very, very few players who have indicated they wish to stay with the club next season. So it is fair to expect a lot of comings and goings in the next few weeks. We do not need to sell any player who shows a desire to stay – but there aren’t many of those!”

Sunderland accepted a £6.6m Torino bid for midfielder Didier Ndong, but the Italians have been unable to agree personal terms. They have turned down at least two bids for Paddy McNair, who is interesting Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He is one of 11 who joined as senior players when the Black Cats were in the Premier League.

“Reality is that not many of our current playing squad fancy playing League One football regardless of how or why we find ourselves at this level – albeit the agents are talking for some of them!” Donald tweeted. “I am sure some will stay and be happy to do so. We will see.”

So far Sunderland are yet to make any transfers under new manager Jack Ross.

And in a move sure to please supporters, Donald revealed he has ordered new seats to replace the faded ones at the Stadium of Light. They have become a source of embarrassment, and a sign of the neglect at the club towards the end of previous owner Ellis Short’s tenure.

“Not the most important job at @SunderlandAFC but one ticked off nonetheless,” he tweeted. “An order for 31,500 seats to replace those pink seats is being made so please look out for a press release over the coming days where we hope the fans can come down and help us to replace them.”

Donald has spoken in the past of his desire for supporters to help redecorate the ground as a community-led effort.