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.

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.

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.

It's another busy night of Carabao Cup action as the rest of the Premier League clubs enter the competition at the third round stage. Join Sportsmail's JORDAN SEWARD for all the goals as they go in.

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.

PETER CROUCH: England legend and new Sportsmail signing Jill Scott is nicknamed after Peter Crouch - so who better to interview her than the man himself?

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.

Kevin Phillips went on to score 189 career goals - 93 of those in the English top-flight - while Jeffers managed a measly tally of four strikes in three years for the Gunners.

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.

Even Liverpool fans might laugh about it now. When your side is top of the league with eight wins from as many games, what really do you care about the past?

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

When Jordan Henderson leads Liverpool out at Old Trafford on Sunday to the sound of This Is The One by the Stone Roses, he finds himself in an exclusive club. He played in their last win there.

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.

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.

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.

Jack Rodwell has reportedly entered talks with Parma regarding a surprise switch to Italian football. The free agent looked on course to sign for Roma, but the deal ultimately fell through.

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.

Simon Mignolet has revealed he left Liverpool because he didn't believe he could compete with Alisson for a starting spot. The 31-year-old left the Reds to join Club Brugge in a £6.4m deal.

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.

The 25-year-old left-handed Brit, who made the world's top 30 as a teenager, revealed she has had more surgery, having not been able to play since April.

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.

Some caretakers managers have proved successful and gained the job permanently. Others have proved disastrous. Sportsmail take a look at some of the best and some of the worst.

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.

IAN LADYMAN: David Moyes was a very good football manager when he was at Preston and Everton. Since then, it has been harder to say. Manchester United was too big for him.

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.

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.

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

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.

Former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley admits he still gets the 'hairdryer' treatment from old boss Sir Alex Ferguson - a dozen years after being sold by the Old Trafford side.

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.

Three of the most memorable football matches of my youth were all very different. All are linked by one thing. On each occasion, a ticket was purchased on the day of the game.