Caretakers on Wearside

BILLY McKINLAY and Robbie Stockdale have been placed in interim charge of Sunderland after the sacking of Simon Grayson.

The Black Cats, currently in the Championship relegation zone, are searching for their 11th permanent manager in less than nine years having axed Grayson following Tuesday’s 3-3 home draw with fellow strugglers Bolton.

Ahead of the Tees-Wear derby with Middlesbrough on Sunday, ex-Boro defender Stockdale and former Watford boss McKinlay have been installed as joint caretakers. Stockdale, left, is the first-team coach at the Stadium of Light while McKinlay was recently brought in by Grayson having previously worked at Fulham, Watford and Real Sociedad. Grayson’s exit, after just 18 games in charge, was confirmed barely 24 hours after he claimed he deserved a chance to put things right after having “the balls” to leave Preston and take the job. READING striker Yann Kermorgant has signed a two-year contract after scrapping plans to retire.

Frenchman Kermorgant, 35, was set to call it a day at the end of the season but has now committed to the Royals until 2019.

Manager Jaap Stam said: “Yann was a very important player for us last season, not only in the goals that he scored but also as a person with the right mentality and the right character.

“He has a massive influence within the squad in how he helps push other players to progress and he leads by example with his work rate on the pitch.”