Gus Poyet has been won round to the idea of succeeding Paolo Di Canio at Sunderland and he and his representatives have further talks planned with Ellis Short, the Wearside club’s owner, and the board in the coming days.

Although Sunderland have identified the former Brighton manager as their number one target, no appointment is likely for a minimum of 48 hours and could even be delayed until next week.

Stadium of Light sources maintain that other names on the club’s shortlist remain under consideration. Short feels it is essential that he does not rush into a final decision and Kevin Ball, the caretaker manager – who, like other candidates including Steve McClaren would like to be considered for the job – has been told he will definitely be in charge for Sunday’s home game against Liverpool.

Poyet’s early reservations about the role of Roberto De Fanti, Sunderland’s director of football who holds considerable autonomy over recruitment matters, appear to have been overcome and during preliminary talks on Tuesday he told Short he would be happy to move to the north-east.

While Sunderland are extremely interested in Poyet they may want to perform due diligence on the 45-year-old former Chelsea player. The Uruguayan left the Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion in acrimonious circumstances in June and is still involved in a legal dispute with the south coast club.

After dispensing with Steve Bruce, Martin O’Neill and Di Canio in relatively swift succession and the team bottom of the Premier League with only one point from five games, Sunderland cannot afford to make another expensive mistake.

Guardian Service