Ball hoping for Sunderland decision

Kevin Ball hopes to find out this week whether he will be the man chosen to take charge of Sunderland on a permanent basis.

The 48-year-old was made interim head coach after Paolo Di Canio left the club by mutual consent after their defeat to West Brom last month.

Ball has overseen one victory in the League Cup, but has not been able to pick up any points in the Premier League.

However, that has not dampened Ball’s hunger for the job and he hopes to find out whether he will be given the chance to lead them soon.

“I would imagine in the next couple of days I will speak with one of the board members and I’ll probably find out what’s going to happen,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s something that’s always in you (managing), I’ve enjoyed all three games.

“It is nice down there, it is difficult as well, because when you’re in the interim role is how much can you put into practice, how much can you put them into play, it’s not worth putting something into play that you can’t continue, you’re caught into a quandary.”

Sunderland owner Ellis Short was in attendance for their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday and has insisted he will not rush into making an announcement on Di Canio’s replacement.