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.

The Reds captain had just made his £20m move to Anfield from Sunderland in 2011 but at just 20-years-old was still finding his feet in the top flight despite excellent performances for the Black Cats.

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.

Jordan Henderson has emerged as a key part of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side as they steam towards the Premier League title. Now he has been compared to Kevin De Bruyne.

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.

After a four-hour match against Roger Federer, Andy Murray has a day less to prepare for the final than Novak Djokovic. But Andy is a very fit guy, and I’m not sure it makes that much difference.

BRAD GILBERT: The former top-five player and coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Murray, picks nine players who may seal Wimbledon glory and looks at the tournament’s bolters.

Brad Gilbert, the former coach of Andy Murray and Andre Agassi, gives his lowdown on the men and women to watch this fortnight at SW19.

The 2019 Wimbledon Championships get underway on Monday. Sportsmail 's Brad Gilbert gives his view on the top contenders in both the men's and women's tournaments.

Joe Biden tossed out red meat to Democratic voters in South Carolina Monday night, but, again, pumped the brakes on attacking Bernie Sanders head-on.

The Labour leader has been praised across the world for acting on issues of climate change, social justice, equality and how she handled the Christchurch terror attack and White Island tragedy.

Consumer experts at Which? found the latest generation of cars being sold to UK consumers emit more CO2, which is associated with climate change.

A group scientists in the Arctic are stranded on a research ship after worldwide shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented them from being replaced by a new team.

Climate change will make life even harder for agriculture workers in the coming decades, with nearly double the number of days when it will be too hot to safely work outdoors.

The image first appeared on Snapchat but was screen-shotted and shared on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday night. Police have confirmed it is not Kam McLeod, despite the uncanny resemblance.

Authorities searched the Seeking Arrangement dating site for University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck and murder suspect Ayoola Ajayi after her death, court documents filed on Friday show.

An alleged Snapchat sex scandal is set to rock one of Australia's most successful Olympic sports with claims underage athletes were also targeted.

Mason Bennett was filmed being sick in a pub toilet by his new Derby captain Tom Huddlestone just hours before crashing his car and being arrested for drink-driving.

Showing a large virtual spider crawling in circles around the face, Snapchat's new filter has delighted and horrified users in equal measure.

Snapchat debuted a filter that makes it look like a tarantula is crawling on the user's face. Some parents are turning it on their young children.

The Time Machine feature works as a slider, making faces appear younger at one end and older in the opposite direction.