Town chairman David Sheepshanks is preparing the club for relegation after Saturday's defeat against Manchester United. However, he will not be revealing his plans fo the club until the drop is confirmed.

Sheepshanks said in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat: "We have to prepare ourselves for relegation."

He added: "Up until now I genuinely felt that we could avoid the drop, but as unlikely as it is that Sunderland will lose at home to Derby, we have to go to Liverpool and be consummate professionals, making sure we get the right result just in case Derby do win.

"But we have to prepare ourselves psychologically for relegation even though there is a very thin chance that we might still hang on."

The Town chairman revealed back in November at the club's AGM that plans had been drawn up to cope with the estimated £12 million drop in revenue that relegation would bring.

Already a number of Town players have been linked with summer moves with high earners like Matteo Sereni and Finidi George the most likely to go.

Matteo Sereni has been linked with Chelsea or a move back to Italy while Marcus Stewart is said to be interesting Sunderland and West Brom.

Titus Bramble looks set to leave Portman Road come what may, with Newcastle the favourites for his signature, but with Arsenal also interested.

Town will not be allowing promising youngsters like Darren Bent, Darren Ambrose and Tommy Miller, voted the most improved player at the club, to leave. All could be crucial players in the First Division.

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