Not sure about that:-
When Neil replaced Johnson, Sunderland made a huge statement that anything less than promotion wasn't good enough, and Doyle was a victim of an ambitious recruitment drive in January.
Matty explained: "Doyle played an awful lot of football like many of his teammates. The Sunderland squad was completely revamped last summer with an influx of younger players. However, for a lot of them, Doyle included, it was their first season in senior football.
The Black Cats went through a torrid run of form around January, with a lot of the players clearly fatigued. The arrival of Alex Neil coincided with signings in the January transfer window. Danny Batth came through the door from Championship side Stoke City and it meant that Doyle was rested for the League One run-in. I wouldn't say it was down to any errors or mistakes, just the fact he had played an awful lot of football without any real rest."
With his drop to the bench through no fault of his own, it seems like Doyle could make the step up to the Championship if the right club is found - however, it may not be with Sunderland.
"Doyle coped well with the physical side of League One and has the technical ability to go higher. I don't think I would rule out a move to a Championship side on loan next season, but even a move back to League One, to a promotion-chasing club, would stand him in good stead," Matty told us.
"I think the main thing for Doyle next season has to be going to a club where his game-time can be managed."
Doyle arrived at Sunderland when they were under the guidance of Lee Johnson but now Alex Neil has arrived, it doesn't look like the Man City youngster will be part of his plans going forward. While Sunderland are still having talks over next season's budget, they have reportedly opened talks with Everton over extending Nathan Broadhead's loan at the club.
"As things stand, there hasn't been any talk of Sunderland going back in for Doyle."
Callum Doyle's first season in senior football ended in promotion with Sunderland on loan from Manchester City.
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