Sunderland face D-Day on manager search as interviews conclude with Roy Keane

Sunderland will conclude their search for Lee Johnson's successor on Friday with an interview with former boss Roy Keane.

That is according to the Mail Online, who claim the former Black Cats manager will discuss a sensational return with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

ChronicleLive understands Keane is considered to be the number one target to replace Johnson, who was dismissed following the humiliating six-goal thrashing at Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

Grant McCann, Alex Neil, and Neil Warnock are considered to be among the contenders to rival the Manchester United legend for the post.

Sunderland have already held initial talks with Keane over the vacancy, and the 50-year-old is very interested in returning to the club where he began his managerial career in 2006.

Addressing the search for a new head coach, Speakman told the club's 'Unfiltered' podcast: "We have a really clear criteria on the type of head coach that we want to work for the club, what the requirements are of that individual, and what we are judging them against.

"Naturally we are running a succession plan for that position so we have been tracking coaches over the last year, not because of anything underhand - any top business would have a plan on who would be their next chief exec, who's head of sales, who's going to come through.

"We have internal members of staff but it is a big bridge to jump to go on and be a head coach, certainly for a club the size of Sunderland, but we are also looking at who is out there who matches up with our style of play, who is progressing, who could come in and add value to our football club.

"When the position becomes vacant, other members of the football community pop up and