SUNDERLAND have added former Lincoln City caretaker boss Jamie McCombe to their coaching staff ahead of this week's play-off semi-final against the Imps.

McCombe will stand in for Black Cats assistant boss Jamie McAllister, who is serving a six-game suspension following an altercation in the tunnel during the Good Friday game with Oxford United.

McAllister is banned from the stadium for both legs of Sunderland's play-off semi-final, and while he will be able to attend Wembley if the club makes the play-off final, he will be banned from the touchline.

Grant Leadbitter took over some coaching duties during the 1-1 draw with Northampton Town that marked the end of Sunderland's regular season, but Lee Johnson wants the midfielder to be able to concentrate on his playing duties during the two legs of the semi-final.

McCombe is well known to Johnson as he spent four years at Bristol City between 2006-10, making more than 100 league starts for the Robins. Johnson was also on Bristol City's books during that period, and the pair became good friends.

McCombe ended his playing career with Lincoln, having accepted a player-coach role at Sincil Bank in 2016.

He was appointed caretaker manager when Danny Cowley left to take over at Huddersfield in September 2019, and presided over three first-team games. He left Lincoln's coaching staff last summer, but should have a good knowledge of the club's current first-team squad.