Sunderland AFC transfer rumours: Cats could sign THREE, Gus Poyet linked with League One rivals, Roy Keane labelled as 'done' by outspoken pundit, surprise manager talks at Portsmouth

The Black Cats will be looking to extend their unbeaten record to 10 games in all competitions following a win over Portsmouth and the cup final victory over Tranmere Rovers last week.

As usual, however, there is still plenty of transfer talk and general gossip swirling around the web.

Here, we take you through the latest:

Sunderland’s League One promotion rivals in manager talks

Matt Taylor has emerged as a surprise Portsmouth manager option.

The former Fratton Park hero is keen on a return to the Blues, where he’s lauded, as Kenny Jackett’s successor.

Jackett was relieved of his duties on Sunday following losses to Sunderland in League One and Salford City in the Papa John’s Trophy final on Saturday.

And The Portsmouth News states that there has been discussions over the 39-year-old linking up with the club he made 203 appearances for over six years.

Taylor is currently in his second season as Spurs under-18 coach and has gained his UEFA pro licence.

Reports yesterday suggested that the League One club were lining up a move for former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel as the club’s new manager.

The former Hearts boss applied for the Sunderland job last December after Phil Parkinson was sacked.

Lee Bowyer oversees Birmingham City training

Former Newcastle United man Lee Bowyer has already taken training at Birmingham City just hours after leaving Sunderland’s League One rivals Charlton Athletic.

That’s according to Football Insider, who state the 44-year-old has overseen his first session and will soon be named as Aitor Karanka’s successor.

Bowyer had spent over three years in charge of Charlton before his resignation yesterday.

Two seasons ago, Bowyer masterminded The Addicks from League One via the play-offs, defeating Jack Ross’ Sunderland at Wembley.

But the former England international looks set to take the reins at Birmingham, where he spent two-and-a-half years as a player, winning League Cup in 2010/11.

Sunderland eyeing two non-league players

Sunderland fielded three trialists in their under-23 draw with Wolves on Monday – as the club start to turn their focus to summer recruitment.

Gateshead midfielder Danny Greenfield is one of the players on trial with the Black Cats and he played the full 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Wolves.

And he was joined by Guiseley defender Nathan Newall, with the 19-year-old defender playing 71 minutes before being replaced by Ryan Wombwell.

The duo joined Tottenham’s Aaron Skinner – who also featured against Newcastle United last week – as the three trialists in the side.

Ex-Stadium of Light bosses linked with League One jobs

Former Sunderland boss Chris Coleman was linked with the Portsmouth job yesterday by the bookies.

And today the former Wales manager is also being linked with the vacant Charlton job following Bowyer’s departure.

Coleman is priced at 25/1 to take over at The Valley.

Interestingly, fellow former Black Cats managers Gus Poyet and Roy Keane are also priced at 25/1 to take over at Charlton.

Former Sunderland manager comes in for criticism

Speaking of Keane… the former Manchester United legend has come in for criticism from former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan.

The former Black Cats boss has been linked to replace Neil Lennon as Celtic manager and is said to be keen on taking the job at Parkhead.

It has been said that the former Manchester United legend believes he can dethrone Steven Gerrard's Rangers next season, who were recently crowned champions.

Since departing Ipswich in 2011, Keane has worked as an assistant at the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, and has also regularly appeared as a pundit

“I think it’s a huge risk [to appoint] the Roy Keane we have now,” the outspoken Jordan told talkSPORT.

“Roy Keane going into management the first time around, possibly, but the Roy Keane we’ve got now? I think as a football manager he’s done.

“You can look at Roy’s managerial record and take in any which way. When he went into Sunderland he had an immense impact for a short period of time because they were languishing at the bottom of the league. If you look at the impact of a short-term appointment, he did that.

“But then you look at when he went to Ipswich and it was the converse, he did a job that ultimately wasn’t of the greatest ilk. He’s been in at the Republic of Ireland, he’s been in at Aston Villa…

“I think at times he’s an outstanding pundit and some of his analysis, his thinking and hold-to-account outlook and attitude is engaging, but some of his pantomime villain stuff, not so much.

I think Celtic have a big job on their hands and they need people capable of doing this job to bridge this gap… whether there’s an affinity or association is not the question here, really.

“As a manager, he’s done. I don’t think there’s a real place for Roy with some of his outlook, attitude and disposition. He’s now in the media and he’s very good at it.

“He’ll have a different view of course, but for Celtic to do the job they need to do, to rebuild the team and get rid of that’s gone on over the last 12 months, you need serious people to do a serious job.

“I don’t dispute Roy Keane is a serious individual, but I don’t think he’s got the skill set to give Celtic what they really need.”

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