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.

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.

The 30-year-old will be named among the substitutes for Saturday's visit of Brighton having come through a full week of training for the first time since ankle surgery in March.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Carabao Cup returns on Tuesday and League Two Crawley (left) will look to continue their unlikely run to the latter stages, while Frank Lampard (right) will eye revenge against Man United.

Manchester City host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup as they look to add to Saints' misery after Leicester's nine goal thrashing of them last Friday.

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.

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.

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.

TOM FARMERY: For many it is a time to celebrate, rejoice and enjoy all that Christmas brings. The same can be said in the Premier League unless, of course, if you are bottom of the table.

The last decade has seen plenty of high-profile signings - and Sportsmail has already picked out the very best. Now it's time to go through the very worst. From 20 to 1, here's the full rundown.

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

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.

Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham will be given the chance to revive his injury-hit career at Sheffield Wednesday following the arrival of Cenk Tosun at Selhurst Park.

The 28-year-old striker underwent his medical at the Serie A side earlier this week before the move confirmed by AC Milan on Tuesday afternoon.

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

The 16-year-old is turning heads after some impressive displays for the Black Cats' youth teams, and now the Red Devils want to secure his signature as they look to build for the future.

CHRIS SUTTON - FA CUP VERDICT: People from the North East live and breathe football. Walk around Newcastle city centre on any given day, and you'll see black and white stripes aplenty.

Sheffield United's latest win leaves them just two points off a Champions League spot, but how do they compare to other Premier League sides to have taken the top flight by storm following promotion.

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.

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

With exercise options reduced with gyms across the country now shut under government orders Lawrence is streaming his own brand of home workouts online at 8am every morning.

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.

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.

During my spell working for the Lawn Tennis Association, I remember this skinny kid as a junior with a dream single-handed backhand — Dan Evans.

Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert tells you all you need to know on the top men's seeds at this year's Wimbledon Championships.

I doubt that Tomas Berdych will be saying anything to Andy Murray again on court in a hurry after the Scot was riled by the World No 7 into an emphatic four-sets victory in their tense semi-final.

Sportsmail's tennis guru Brad Gilbert gives his expert analysis on the 10 women to watch as the Wimbledon Championships get under way at the All England Club on Monday.

Sportsmail's tennis guru Brad Gilbert gives his expert analysis on the 10 men to watch as the Wimbledon Championships get under way at the All England Club on Monday.

BRAD GILBERT: Two aspects of Murray’s play in this tournament have impressed me: the way he is being more aggressive on his second serve and his aggression on his backhand.

BRAD GILBERT: The attention on Jo Konta will only multiply if she takes what I think is a realistic opportunity to beat Angelique Kerber and make the Australian Open final.

BRAD GILBERT: Playing a long match against Rafael Nadal can be like drinking eight pints of Guinness - you can feel it for quite a long time afterwards.

Froome stands to become Britain's first Grand Tour winner and add a seventh title to his collection after 2011 Vuelta a Espana champion Juan Jose Cobo was found guilty of a doping violation.

MATT LAWTON IN PARIS: Wiggins and Thomas believe Team Ineos will continue to dominate the Tour de France with a young Colombian cyclist who could turn out to be the greatest in history.

The 39-year-old was the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and took Olympic time trial gold just days later, but said he no longer wants to be defined by his sporting success.

He is one of a select few holding two of most coveted prizes in British sport - the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and a knighthood - but Sir Bradley Wiggins 'smashed' them up.

Sir Bradley Wiggins, from London, has revealed he won't be pushing his 'very talented' son into becoming a professional cyclist - claiming that doing so to bask in the reflected glory would be 'cruel'.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: It is a very peculiar form of racism that affects Mo Farah. It is the same racism suffered by Bradley Wiggins, by Galen Rupp, or even Maria Sharapova.

CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: There are certain people whose position of trust is so great that lying in a professional capacity is unacceptable. And Freeman was acting in a professional capacity.

MIKE KEEGAN: Questions over the 'integrity and credibility' of former Team Sky head coach Shane Sutton will be used as part of Dr Richard Freeman's defence over the delivery of banned testosterone.

In a profanity-laden tirade from one of TV's most famous liaisons of science and learning, viewers were dealt a stark warning about the disastrous effects of climate change.

A survey found that the Colorado River's flow has decreased by 20 percent over the past century and climate change is the cause of more than half of the loss, as less snow is falling in the region.

Cable channel Fox, has adapted HG Wells' classic sci-fi novel The War Of The Worlds, months after a BBC1 series. Nicole Lampert, reveals how the latest adaptation set in Britain and France differs.

Malena Ernman has told of her daughter's struggle with autism and an eating disorder in a new book written by the Thunberg family.