Sportsmail can reveal that the Black Cats are willing to let the midfielder leave the club rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next summer. They also need to reduce the wage bill.

Sunderland drew 1-1 with Oxford as Lynden Gooch's penalty saved a point, while Portsmouth finished with 10 men as they lose 1-0 to Shrewsbury at New Meadow.

Sunderland have paid out more than £335,000 to Velez Sarsfield to settle their claim over Ricky Alvarez following a lengthy legal wrangle, the Argentinian club have announced.

Lee Cattermole is on trial at Dutch side VVV-Venlo after ending his long association with Sunderland. Cattermole was at Sunderland for ten years but left the club this summer.

Former Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole has signed a one-year contract with Eredivisie club VVV-Venlo. The midfielder scored 10 goals in 262 appearances for the Black Cats.

Sunderland are set for a major cash boost in their bid to escape League One with an American consortium ready to take control of the club.

Danny Drinkwater is set to make his Burnley debut in Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Sunderland as Sean Dyche plans a raft of changes.

JACK GAUGHAN AT TURF MOOR: Sean Dyche's cup ignominy continued as Sunderland became the latest unfancied side to inflict embarrassment on Burnley.

Pye, who has played four times for Sunderland's Under-18 side this season, is also attracting interest from Manchester United, who were on the verge of bidding for him in the summer.

Sam Allardyce is reportedly ready to make his return to football management, and wishes to do so by heading back to the dug-out of his ex-club Sunderland.

A court heard Portsmouth supporter David Oppitz also hurled abusive language at a female steward who was trying to escort him from the League One play off match following the incident.

Thousands of travelling fans had vented their displeasure after the crisis-hit hosts grabbed a 50th-minute lead through defender Jack Hobbs. McGeady scored a stoppage-time penalty.

A video clip was posted to Twitter by @nufcflynn showing a group of Sunderand fans chanting a song containing lyrics relating to the death of Gary Speed, who died in 2011 by suicide.

CRAIG HOPE AT BRAMALL LANE: Jack Ross must be wishing Sunderland could play away at Premier League opposition every week, not that this felt like a shock result.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES AND CRAIG HOPE: Florida-based GACP Sports, who already own Bordeaux, are said to be interested in buying Newcastle in a £300million deal.

SAFC chairman Stewart Donald said: 'This is a decision that has been made with a heavy heart.' The Black Cats sit in sixth place in League One, four points behind second-placed Wycombe.

Club legend Kevin Phillips 'is the early frontrunner to replace Jack Ross as Sunderland manager.' Phillips, who scored 130 goals for the club, has coaching experience at Derby and Stoke.

Former Sunderland defender Carlos Edwards has backed Neil Harris or Ian Holloway to land the vacant managerial role at the Stadium of Light.

Phil Parkinson is poised to become the new manager of Sunderland. The 51-year old, who resigned as manager of crisis torn Bolton in August, is expected to be confirmed within 24 hours.

The Black Cats have appointed former Bradford boss Parkinson on a two-and-a-half year deal after he left Bolton Wanderers in August - he took the squad for training on Thursday.

New manager Phil Parkinson has told Sunderland to forget their Premier League past as they attempt to drag themselves out of League One.

Wycombe closed on Sky Bet League One leaders Ipswich with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Adams Park. Defender Darius Charles struck the 34th-minute winner.

JOE BERNSTEIN AT THE KASSAM STADIUM: An all-League One tie proved as close as the league positions suggested with only three points separating the clubs.

The American group who had been expected to complete a takeover of Sunderland have instead invested a 'very substantial sum' in the League One club.

ON THE ROAD: At what point did Sunderland go from being a big club that accidentally found themselves in League One, to becoming a genuine lower league outfit?

Goalkeepers adventuring off behind the goal in search of a ball is a routine sight on Sunday league pitches - but it's not something you expect in a 49,000-seater former top-flight stadium.

Keeper Jon McLaughlin's calamitous error cost Sunderland a direct route into round two of the FA Cup after they were held 1-1 by Gillingham on Saturday.

Sunderland supporters have reacted with concern after it was revealed owner Stewart Donald has secured a £9million loan from American investors against the club's stadium and training ground.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell could make a sensational return to the Premier League with Sheffield United. The 28-year-old has been training with the Blades in a bid to land a contract.

Aiden McGeady has been told to stay away from Sunderland's first team by manager Phil Parkinson because of his negative influence on the squad. He has been told to find a new club ahead of January.

Sunderland have confirmed that owner Stewart Donald is actively trying to sell the League One club after being urged to go by disgruntled fans.

The 32-year-old is out of contract following his spell in Norway with Sarpsborg and is on a list of frontmen the Black Cats are considering to bolster their attacking options.

Tensions boiled over in a meeting between the Sunderland hierarchy and the Fan Engagement Committee at the Stadium of Light in November, according to The Times.

Sunderland have described a social media post about new signing Kyle Lafferty which inadvertently referred to loyalist pipe bands as a 'genuine mistake'.

Manchester United will make a decision on the future of midfielder James Garner this week amid interest from League One Sunderland.

EXCLUSIVE: Stewart Donald was targeted by Sunderland supporters as he left Fratton Park with his young son following Saturday's 2-0 defeat, before a group of Pompey fans came to his aid.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: A former Sunderland academy physio has been released with no further action after an investigation following his arrest on suspicion of sexual grooming.

The early risers from Coventry City and Sunderland were able to compete for sob stories heading up Kingston Road to St Andrew's for League One's noon kick-off.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE AND DAVID COVERDALE: It was the moment when The Office met The Wolf of Wall Street - and the makers of Sunderland 'Til I Die had their opening scene.

EXCLUSIVE BY DAVID COVERDALE: Producers Fulwell 73 had planned for series two to be the last. But the suspension of this season may open the door for them to revisit their Sunderland story.

With football currently suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, fans are left without a fix. However, as of Wednesday there will be some small respite.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE:There is one scene that Charlie Methven - the overnight star of Sunderland 'Til I Die series two - had to watch through his fingertips.

Sunderland have placed its first-team players, contracted academy players and backroom staff on furlough leave due to coronavirus.

In his teen years, a professional deal at Sunderland was in the balance, but it was Henderson's well-known dedication and attitude which swung the decision in his favour.

Henderson has lifted the Champions League and is on the verge of winning the Premier League and Bruce insists he saw Henderson's devoted attitude and sense of authority straight away.

SPECIAL REPORT: Sportsmail previously revealed that majority shareholder Stewart Donald used Sunderland's parachute payments to finance the majority of the £37m purchase of club.

Manchester United are now reportedly the front runners to sign Joe Hugill from Sunderland, according to The Sun. The 16-year-old striker has impressed in the Black Cats' youth system.

Manchester United have agreed a £250,000 deal with Sunderland for teenage striker Joe Hugill. The 16-year old is an old fashioned style centre forward.

Rotch Library - NX456.5.N49 N48 2014