The Football Association last night confirmed they will seek compensation from Sunderland for technical director Howard Wilkinson as they revealed that they could look abroad for his successor.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier is likely to look for a six-figure sum from Sunderland chairman Bob Murray as Wilkinson had almost two years to run on his contract at Soho Square.

''Bob Murray rung me on Tuesday morning and asked for permission to speak to Howard. I said 'fine' as I don't think it's right to stand in people's way,'' revealed Crozier.

''Howard and Bob came back to me last night and said they wanted to go ahead. We had an initial chat about compensation, just to make sure we were all aware of where we stood. Bob and I will sit down after these two England games and sort it out.''

Wilkinson added: "Adam Crozier was fantastic - he said he didn't think they should stand in my way. He expressed his disappointment that I was leaving, but wished me all the best.''

Murray maintained there will be no compensation battle with Stoke City over Steve Cotterill's switch to the Stadium of Light.

Cotterill activated a clause in his contract at the Britannia Stadium only five months after moving from Cheltenham.

Murray said: "There will be no problems at all with Stoke. Steve hasn't turned his back on them. He had a clause in his contract and all he has done is exercise that.

"He has acceded to the terms and conditions. I have spoken to the Stoke chairman (Gunnar Gislason) and we'll agree compensation.''

Stoke chief executive Jonathan Fuller expects matters to be resolved "quickly and amicably''.

Fuller said: "In this day and age you have to have a compensation clause in a manager's contract. The chairmen are already talking.''