Meyler backing Black Cats to seize Wembley moment

David Meyler is backing former club Sunderland to begin their climb back to the big time on Saturday when they take on Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final.

The Black Cats are expected to bring over 40,0000 fans to London for the Wembley showdown, all of them desperate for a taste of glory after five years laden with pain and frustration.

They suffered the drop from the Premier League in 2017 and went down again the following campaign, leaving them in League One ever since.

The October takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium consisting of PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), means Sunderland's bitter rivals are suddenly flushed with the kind of money that can take you to lofty places very fast.

Meyler - who played at the Stadium of Light for five years - acknowledged that will sting Sunderland's fanatic supporters, but he's hoping Alex Neil's men can take a significant step up the ladder tomorrow.

"It's like two brothers, where one gets spoiled by the parents and the other doesn't," said the Corkman of the north-east rivalry.

"It's very difficult to explain how much football is loved up there. You get a glimpse of it looking on the telly... I've had probably 40 texts asking if I could get people tickets for the play-off final - which I can't.

"They work Monday to Friday to go and watch Sunderland or Newcastle on a Saturday.

It's life or death for them. They worship their clubs, they back them to the hilt, they travel all around the country supporting them. I admired them. I do believe Sunderland need Newcastle and Newcastle need Sunderland. Those Tyne-Wear derbies ar especial.It's pure passion.

"I played for Sunderland for a few seasons. Even when you're