The former Black Cats player and manager, 67, has loved seeing the club back in the top-flight but believes juggling that with European football may be a step too far.

Regis le Bris’ side brilliantly qualified for the Europa League last term but despite two wins and a draw against AZ Alkmaar, Torreense and Lech Poznan so far, currently lie bottom of the Premier League.

Butcher admits the relentless nature of their schedule may take its toll but hailed the north-east club for a memorable couple of seasons.

“Sunderland have had a great couple of years,” said Butcher, who both played for and managed the club between 1992 and 1993.

“But it’s going to be difficult for them as they’ve got Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday this year with European football.

“I’m so pleased for them though. They haven’t looked back since I left!

“Last year, they bucked the trend of promoted clubs going down with two out of the three staying up, so hopefully they can stay up again.”

Butcher was speaking as part of a Royal British Legion and MatchWornShirt (MWS) campaign to help raise funds for the Poppy Appeal this Remembrance Sunday.

This year’s initiative features Butcher, whose son Chris died in 2017, aged 35, while suffering from PTSD after serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Across late October and November, clubs across the English football pyramid, including the Premier League, EFL and WSL, will wear shirts adorned with the poppy emblem, uniting football in a powerful act of respect.

These unique match-worn shirts will be signed by the players and made available to fans through a series of online auctions hosted exclusively on the MWS platform, with all net proceeds being donated to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Since June 2024, Butcher has been a patron of Combat2Coffee, a not-for-profit company that supports veterans and their families

Butcher hailed the Poppy Appeal for making such a difference and hopes fans around the country can support it as it continues to go from strength to strength.

“The poppy represents pride and respect to those who have gone before,” he added.

“It’s a renowned and well-loved symbol and a symbol of hope and support.

“It’s something I love and something I have a lot of feeling for – when you look at what the Royal British Legion do and the amount of money they raise, it’s quite incredible.

“The Royal British Legion and their Poppy Appeal raise so much money, which really saves lives and is extremely powerful.”