In sharp contrast to the scarcity of strikers in the Ireland squad, John Egan knows he’s a victim of the riches in the central defensive department.

Conor Hourihane is long used to the constant comparisons to Roy Keane and he has no hesitation in sharing his fellow Corkman’s view that he had to break the Dublin monopoly to find his way up the Irish ladder.

John O’Shea last night spoke of his delight after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal with Championship outfit Reading.

"I don't even know where Jack is, to be honest with you, so no, he won't be involved."

Whodunnit? That was the question that was being asked after Preston kept their play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 Championship victory at QPR.

Cardiff left it late but kept themselves on course for a Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion place with a 2-0 win at Norwich.

O'Shea is expected to make his 250th appearance for Sunderland tomorrow on his 37th birthday.

Sunderland will pay tribute to former midfielder Liam Miller before their Sky Bet Championship match against Brentford on Saturday.

Former Celtic, Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Miller, who died last night at the age of 36 after suffering from pancreatic cancer, fulfilled two boyhood dreams.

Liverpool’s record signing Virgil van Dijk and captain Jordan Henderson have both returned to full training ahead of Monday’s trip to Swansea.

He has been told he can go for free.

Sunderland expect to appoint Chris Coleman as their new manager within the next 48 hours.

David Moyes has been named as struggling West Ham's new manager.

West Ham are looking for a new manager after Slaven Bilic was sacked this morning.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has no issue with Paddy McNair's inclusion in Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off squad, even though he only returned from an 11-month injury lay-off on Saturday.

Hell hath no fury like a player scorned! Last season Aiden McGeady re-ignited his club career during a loan spell at Preston, finishing the season as their player of the year. That form earned him a permanent move to Sunderland in July.

Jermain Defoe fired Bournemouth to their first win of the Premier League season to relieve mounting pressure on boss Eddie Howe.

Sunderland have announced that defender Papy Djilobodji has joined Dijon on a season-long loan.

Bristol City upset Premier League Watford to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road.

Sunderland have started an internal disciplinary process against Darron Gibson after footage emerged of the midfielder criticising team-mates in a bar.

Official confirmation that Kevin O’Connor has become Simon Grayson’s last signing as Preston North End manager now gives way to speculation about who the Cork City player – as well as his teammate Sean Maguire and fellow League of Ireland exports Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle – will be playing under at Deepdale next season.

Jonny Hayes is poised to join Celtic after Aberdeen accepted a bid from the Scottish champions for the Irish winger.

Jordan Pickford is poised to become the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time after Everton agreed a £30m (€34.1m) fee to take him from Sunderland.

Everton have agreed a fee with Sunderland for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, it is understood.

It was truly a Gameweek like no other. Gameweek 37 was a wild ride, as the thrill of massive points totals was tempered with a pang of regret for most. 

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech insists ending up in next season’s Europa League would not be the end of the world for the Gunners.

Sunderland boss David Moyes has insisted he would never have allowed striker Jermain Defoe to have the clause in his contract which means he can leave for free in the wake of relegation.

Relegation battlers Hull suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat against bottom club Sunderland as the fight to stay in the Premier League took another dramatic twist.

Marten de Roon fired Middlesbrough to victory in the desperation derby as Sunderland's hopes of another remarkable Premier League escape were dealt a potentially fatal blow.

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli deserved to be on the shortlist for the men’s Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic felt like Benjamin Button, but it was more a case of Groundhog Day as far as Sunderland were concerned. Manchester United retain a two-pronged assault on Champions League qualification, but all the Wearside club has to look forward to are trips to some of football’s less celebrated destinations in the Championship next season.

Leicester piled the misery on David Moyes and pushed Sunderland closer to relegation from the Premier League with a gritty 2-0 win.

David Moyes will send Sunderland into Premier League battle at Leicester on Tuesday night insisting he can survive his "slap" remark to a female reporter.

Sunderland boss David Moyes does not fear for his job and never considered resigning over his “slap” remark to a female reporter.

For someone experiencing their first taste of senior international football yesterday, there was an air of familiarity which made John Egan feel right at home in his new habitat.

Sunderland boss David Moyes was left to rue a controversial opening goal after seeing Southampton romp to a 4-0 Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light.

Wayne Rooney surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton to become Manchester United's record goalscorer with a dramatic injury-time free-kick which salvaged his side a 1-1 draw at Stoke.

Even Joey Barton could not inspire Burnley as they played out an FA Cup third round stalemate at Sunderland.

Under-fire manager Bob Bradley accepts Swansea will be relegated if they continue to defend as they have done during his two months in charge.

Crystal Palace eased their growing worries as a 3-0 victory at home to Southampton ended a six-match losing streak.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remains optimistic about Philippe Coutinho's ankle injury after the influential playmaker was carried off on a stretcher in the 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side won’t underestimate Sunderland after suffering a reality check against Southampton.

Everton snatched a draw, Leicester lost and Sunderland recorded another win.