NO GRAY CLOUDS

SIMON GRAYSON begins his bid to inspire an instant return to the Premier League for Sunderland tonight – on the thinnest of shoestrings.

The new boss has spent only £1million on six players, but still relishes the challenge. “That’s where we are as a football club,” said Grayson (right), whose side host Derby. “We can’t go and spend millions of pounds on players now and I knew that when I came into the club.

“If I wanted a nice easy job, I would have stayed at Preston. But Sunderland are a fantastic club and it is still an attractive proposition.

“That’s why I’m determined to make it a success.”