It has been somewhat of a struggle for former Manchester United and Everton manager David Moyes since taking over the reins at Sunderland.

The Black Cats have won none of their seven Premier League games this season, and just two draws from those seven leaves Moyes’ side rooted to the bottom of the table.

However, signs of improvement were seen in the home draw with West Bromwich Albion prior to the international break, and Sunderland fans will be hoping that their side can get that first win of the season against Stoke City next weekend.

Elsewhere in the North East, Newcastle United have made a solid start to their Championship campaign. Unlike their rivals, the Magpies were unable to avoid the drop, and manager Rafael Benitez has brought in talented players so their stay in the second tier is nothing more than a flying visit.

However, there are some Sunderland players that would get into the Newcastle team and strengthen their chances of bouncing straight back – here are THREE players who would walk into the Magpies’ team…

Jordan Pickford

Benitez brought Belgian Under-21 international Matz Sels to St James’ Park in the summer, but the young shot-stopper has not made the most convincing of starts to his Newcastle career.

He was heavily criticised for his role in Aston Villa’s equaliser against the Toon a few weeks ago, and Karl Darlow replaced him prior to the international break.

However, one keeper who has been praised repeatedly at the start of the season is Jordan Pickford.

Despite being part of a side that has conceded 13 goals already this season, the 22-year-old has performed admirably in the Sunderland goal, and was particularly good in their narrow defeat to Tottenham last month.

Rewarded with a call-up to the England squad this week, Pickford is an excellent shot-stopper who has a bright future in the game.

Jermain Defoe

Any Championship team would want Jermain Defoe in their team.

The 34-year-old has scored 147 Premier League goals over a 15-year period, yet he’s still as crucial to Sunderland now as he was to West Ham and Tottenham in years gone by.

Take Defoe’s goals out of the team and Sunderland definitely go down. Put Defoe in the Newcastle team and they definitely go up.
With the creativity that Newcastle have, the England international is going to get ample opportunities to score, and he will take the vast majority of them because that is what he does best.

Sebastian Larsson

Although Swedish international Sebastian Larsson is out until the New Year due to a knee ligament injury, he possesses the final ball capabilities that would hugely benefit Newcastle in the Championship.

Set-pieces are important in many leagues around the world, and in the Championship it is no different. That extra bit of quality on free-kicks and corners could be the winning difference.

Larsson has an excellent delivery from both free-kicks and corners and, although Newcastle have capable takers like Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle, the Sunderland man continues to show he is a set-piece specialist at the age of 31.

He will feel like a new signing to Sunderland when he returns from injury, and watch the Black Cats instantly look more threatening from set-pieces when he comes back.