SUNDERLAND COMPETITION AND UNCERTAINTY

Sunderland are one of four Championship clubs looking for a new head coach after Norwich's decision to sack David Wagner this week, which came less than 24 hours after their play-off hammering at Leeds.

Early reports claim the Canaries will move swiftly to appoint a replacement, with Arsenal assistant Carlos Cuesta the early favourite with the bookies.

Will Still - who has been heavily linked with Sunderland - is a short price second favourite, while Liam Rosenior, sacked by Hull City this summer, has also been touted.

With the next head coach appointment so crucial after the Michael Beale disaster, Sunderland are understandably willing to wait as long as needs be to ensure they get who they deem to be the right man - but with each passing week the pressure grows.

Despite the fact the identity of the next boss is not yet known, major decisions are being taken in planning for next term. In recent days the pre-season schedule has been confirmed and the retained list released, with Corry Evans moving on.

The next boss clearly didn't have a say on the captain's future but might yet have some input on what happens with Callum Styles.

It's understood that Sunderland haven't yet decided on whether they want to activate the clause to make the Barnsley loanee's deal at the Stadium of Light. That clause still has a while to run, so there's no immediate pressure for the Black Cats to make a decision.

Another figure who arrived early this year and was involved in the second half of the season at Sunderland is Anthony Hayes, who joined the club as first team coach to assist Mike Dodds when he stepped up to become interim head coach after Beale's exit. Hayes' contract was due to run until the end of the season. It's not clear at this stage what the future holds for the former Charlton coach and interim boss. That, like several other matters, will be resolved when the new head coach arrives.

BALLARD SIGNING

Staying with Sunderland, Dan Ballard was unveiled as a new signing this week. Don't worry, Sunderland fans, he hasn't gone anywhere!

He's joined General Sports Worldwide, a global company who describe themselves as a "full-service sports marketing and management firm that was established on the premise that nothing can unite people like the power of sports".

The firm's official account posted on X: "Welcome, Dan Ballard ✍️

"We are delighted to announce the signing of Sunderland and Northern Ireland CH Dan Ballard to the GSW Football family.

"We are excited about the journey ahead."

Ballard is a key figure for the Black Cats and will no doubt be central in the thoughts of the next head coach. He signed a new contract at the back end of last year, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2027.

LATTE LATH'S INTERNATIONAL HOPE

Emmanuel Latte Lath has caught the attention of Ivory Coast's national team selectors on the back of his impressive first season at Middlesbrough.

The striker has never played for his country but his form on Teesside hasn't gone unnoticed in his home country.

The 25-year-old former Atalanta striker hit 11 goals in his last 12 games for Boro to scoop the Championship Player of the Month award for April.

He was also up for another award, with his instinctive header against Leeds United nominated for April's Championship Goal of the Month gong - but that was won by Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass for his strike against Blackburn.

Latte Lath will hope to take his blistering form at the back end of the season into next term - which could well lead to an international call-up.

"I know that the Ivorian national team has watched him closely several times," said his agent Matthias Veneroso in his interview with the Italian media earlier this week.

"He is a player who has recorded numbers, we are waiting and if the call were to come he would be happy. To date, there is no news, although we hope so."

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RAMSDALE RESPONSE

Will Martin Dubravka start between the posts for Newcastle at Brentford today or will Nick Pope return to the starting XI?

And on the subject of keeper questions, how will the summer look for the Magpies?

United have been linked with various goalkeepers over recent months, including Arsenal's out of favour England international Aaron Ramsdale.

That talk has ramped up again in recent days, with one report claiming a deal to bring Ramsdale to the North East this summer has been "done".

But Ramsdale then took to social media...

The 26-year-old is understood to be a target for the Magpies, who are expected to let Loris Karius move on this summer. Dubravka's future is also uncertain on the back of an underwhelming spell with the gloves.

BORO REGRET

Neil Warnock was a pundit on Sky for Southampton's play-off game against West Brom this week and his appearance resulted in a Boro transfer revelation.

Ex-Sheffield United and West Brom defender Kean Bryan revealed on social media that Warnock tried to sign him he was Boro boss.

"Never forget Neil Warnock giving me a call wanting to sign me at Boro.. no regrets but I do wish I took the chance to play under him, some man," he wrote on X.

Bryan came through the ranks at Manchester City. He played 13 times for Sheffield United in the Premier League before going on to play for West Brom, but was forced to retire at just 27 because of a knee injury.