HUGE WEEK FOR DODDS IN TOP-SIX FIGHT

MIKE DODDS is hoping to make a name for himself in a big week for Sunderland’s faltering play-off hopes.

The Black Cats were sunk at Carrow Road by Josh Sargent’s 81st-minute goal, which boosted Norwich’s own top-six hopes.

Sunderland, now nine points adrift in 10th, host leaders Leicester tomorrow before heading to fourth-place Southampton on Saturday.

Winning those would be a tough task at any stage, but the Mackems have now lost four in a row, sacking manager Michael Beale during that run.

That saw Dodds, the former academy manager at Birmingham, placed in temporary charge, just as he had been in 2022 when Lee Johnson got the boot, and earlier this season when Tony Mowbray left the Stadium of Light.

The difference now, though, is the 37-year-old has been told he will be in place until the summer.

And going head to head with Leicester’s Enzo Maresca and Russell Martin of Southampton will be an acid test of his credentials to become a full-time boss.

Dodds (above) said: “I’m really excited about the next two games. I’m coming up against two of the best teams in the league and some really good coaches.

“I want to pit my wits against those types of people.

“I’m not enjoying the results and there will be a level of fingerpointing at me, but if I want to do this in future I have got to be comfortable in that territory.”

Norwich are on an 11-match unbeaten home streak and find themselves one place and a single point off the play-offs.

Sargent is a big factor in the current run. The USA striker was the game’s only constant threat and swivelled in the box to convert Ben Gibson’s cross and win it, as Jenson Seelt and Leo Hjelde tried to intervene.

He has scored six in six, and 11 overall in a season that saw him sidelined for three months by injury. “To have him back is a real positive,” said Canaries defender Jack Stacey of the hitman.