Sunderland 0 Norwich City 1: Highlights after Josh Sargent's goal with Alex Neil set to join Stoke

So it’s two changes from the Sunderland side which started against Stoke last time out.

As expected Corry Evans and Dan Neil return in midfield, with Elliot Embleton and Jay Matete dropping out of the starting XI.

Neil may not be here today but prepared the team this week.

It looks like the side will stick with a back three and wing-backs, with O’Nien on the right side of defence, yet we know the system is flexible.

Norwich are unchanged following their 2-0 win over Millwall in their last league game and will start in a 4-3-3 system.

It’s been confirmed that Sunderland’s existing first-team backroom staff, including Martin Canning, will oversee their today’s match against Norwich in Alex Neil’s absence.

Canning will be in attendance alongside first-team coaches Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor, as well as head of goalkeeping Alessandro Barcherini.

Back to today’s game.

Sunderland’s pre-match press conference was cancelled on Friday as Neil left to finalise his move to Stoke. It’s therefore unclear exactly where Sunderland stand on the injury front.

Daniel Ballard remains out after suffering a fracture in his foot, while Carl Winchester (back) and Leon Dajaku (thigh) have also been absent in recent weeks.

Midfielder Dan Neil will be available again after serving a one-match suspension in the win at Stoke, following his red card at Sheffield United.

Norwich boss Dean Smith has revealed the Canaries have no new injury concerns ahead of the match.

Predicted Sunderland XI: Patterson; Wright, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, Evans, Neil, Clarke; Pritchard; Simms, Stewart

Predicted Norwich XI: Krul; Aarons, Omobamidele, Hanley, McLean; Gibbs, Nunez, Dowell; Cantwell, Sinani; Sargent

While Neil hasn’t officially left Sunderland, there is already speculation about who might replace him.

Here are some of the names bookmakers BetVictor have linked with the role:

Sean Dyche - 2/1

Tony Mowbray - 4/1

Duncan Ferguson - 8/1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 16/1

Darren Ferguson - 16/1

Grant McCann - 16/1

Roy Keane - 16/1

There’s only one place to start.

Sunderland confirmed yesterday afternoon that head coach Alex Neil had entered discussions with Stoke City over their managerial vacancy.

The club’s statement added the Black Cats were ‘committed to retaining’ Neil’s services, yet it’s understood the Scot left the Academy of Light yesterday after saying his goodbyes and will now finalise a move at the bet365 Stadium.

Neil is expected to be in the stands at Ewood Park when Stoke face Blackburn this afternoon.

As of 9am this morning, there has been no word from Sunderland as to who will take the team against Norwich, after Neil had prepared the squad during the week.

First-team coaches Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor took charge of the team following Lee Johnson’s sacking in January, while there has been talk that Sunderland want Neil’s assistant Martin Canning to take charge.

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It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours at Sunderland - yet the Black Cats also have a league game this afternoon.

Head coach Alex Neil is not expected to take the team for today’s fixture against Norwich (12:30pm kick-off) after entering discussions with Stoke over their managerial vacancy.

Neil said his goodbyes to the Sunderland players and staff on Friday morning before leaving the Academy of Light to finalise a deal at the bet365 Stadium.

We’ll have live updates and analysis from the Stadium of Light throughout the day.