Lee Johnson confirms Kyril Louis-Dreyfus talks as prospective new owner watches Sunderland defeat

Louis-Dreyfus watched on as Johnson's side fell to a 2-1 defeat on a dismal night at Shrewsbury Town.

Sunderland are waiting for final approval from the EFL, which once granted will see Stewart Donald sell a majority of his shares to Louis-Dreyfus.

The prospective new chairman watched on alongside Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman, who will be the key figure in leading the planned overhaul of the club's footballing structure.

Johnson is also central to that as head coach and said that he was positive about the future.

"There's been contact since the deal was publicly announced," Johnson said.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him. I think it's what the club needs, it will give everybody a boost.

"The quicker it can get over the line the better."

Sunderland's defeat at Shrewsbury left them seventh in the table on a night where Peterborough United, Portsmouth and Oxford United bolstered their promotion credentials with a wins.

First and second-placed Lincoln and Hull City played out a 0-0 draw to move a point further clear of the Black Cats.

While critical of the 'soft underbelly' in his side, Johnson insists he believes they can be successful.

"We’ve still got enough games," Johnson said.

"I believe in the team.It would be easy for me to say, ‘look, they’re not my signings’, and this and that, but I do believe in the team and that we can be successful.

"But we have to be steelier in moments in games."