Sunderland AFC news: Former Black Cats manager handed permanent contract at League One club as promotion rivals suffer double blow

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But before the trip south to the Memorial Stadium, there’s still some big Sunderland and League One news doing the rounds.

Today's talk includes a story surrounding a former Black Cats manager.

Here, we take you through everything you need to know today:

Simon Grayson during his days as Sunderland manager.

Simon Grayson handed permanent deal at Fleetwood Town

Former Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has been handed a ‘long-term’ permanent contract at League One rivals Fleetwood Town.

The ex-Blackpool manager has now taken over as head coach after taking the role on a temporary basis following Joey Barton’s sacking.

The 51-year-old initially joined Fleetwood back in January and has since guided the team to four wins out of the last five games.

Assistant head coach David Dunn has also signed a new deal with the Cod Army.

Grayson had an unsuccessful stint on Wearside in 2017.

The former Leeds United manager failed to win a single game at the Stadium of Light during his time with Sunderland and was sacked after just five months in the job.

Behind-the-scenes change at Sunderland’s promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers’ talent and identification manager Adam Henshall is set to leave the club.

Rovers today announced the news which follows an offer from an ‘unnamed’ club which he has deemed ‘too good to turn down’.

Chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “Adam has done an excellent job since joining us and moves to one of the biggest clubs in the country with our best wishes and our thanks.

“The work now begins to find a replacement and to have that person in situ by the end of the season and before the opening of the summer transfer window. Whilst we are disappointed to lose Adam, we fully understand why he has made the decision he has made.

“As a club we have a strong history of recruiting both quality on and off the field and we will continue with that going forward.

"It is testament to Adam’s character that he is helping us to facilitate that process to ensure we get the right person while also ensuring we are in a good place and fully prepared for the summer transfer window.”

Doncaster Rovers suffer second blow as loanee suffers injury

Interim Rovers manager Andy Butler has confirmed that loan midfielder Josh Sims has returned to parent club Southampton for assessment on his problematic muscle injury.

The influential 23-year-old winger, who returned for a second loan spell at Rovers late on in the winter transfer window has been affected by the problem, relating to a nerve injury, for a few weeks and will now be checked out back on the south coast.

Butler said: “But one player who will be missing is Josh Sims, who has a slight recurrence with his tight glute.

“He has no power in his left leg, so we have sent him back to Southampton to get that checked over.

“We are waiting for Southampton to brief us and let us know what the injury actually is. Chats (Jon Chatfield - head physiotherapist) has done a lot of examinations and testing on him and he just feels the best way forward is for Southampton to check him out.”

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