ROKER ROUNDUP: Interest in Khazri hots up as Sunderland set to make more backroom appointments

More changes behind the scenes

The overhaul of Sunderland continued yesterday with two backroom staff departing the club.

Head of Performance Adrian Lamb and physiotherapist Dave Billingsley have both been made redundant, following on from the recent departures of first team coach Robbie Stockdale and goalkeeper goach Adrian Tucker, who were let go by the club last week.

Head of recruitment Neale McDermott and academy manager Jimmy Sinclair have also recently departed. McDermott was replaced earlier in the week by former Sunderland goalkeeper Tony Coton, while Sinclair’s former role is currently vacant.

Though there have been a number of departures, Roker Report understands that there could be two additions to the backroom staff in the coming days.

The academy manager role vacated by the recently retired Sinclair is set to be filled, possibly by the end of the week, and the club are hopeful of adding to Jack Ross’ backroom staff with a new first team coach.

Besiktas keen on Khazri

Turkish club Besiktas are looking for a replacement for Brazilian playmaker Anderson Talisca (who recently joined Guangzhou Evergrande on loan from Benfica, after a two-year loan spell at Besiktas) and are considering a move for Wahbi Khazri.

According to French Yahoo journalist Manu Lonjon, Besiktas have made a substantial offer for the 27-year-old.

Khazri still has two years remaining on his Sunderland contract but will certainly move on this summer after our relegation to League One. However the Tunisian international is currently on international duty ahead of the World Cup and any deal will have to wait until after Tunisia’s involvement in the tournament is over.

Rennes, who had Khazri on loan last season, Marseille, Monaco, Nice and Lyon have all been credited with an interest in the player and according to African outlet African Top Sports, Khazri also has clubs interested in him from China.

Transfer gossip

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony responded to a fan on Twitter who asked which club was leading the race for wantaway winger Marcus Maddison said that it was a club that had not previously been mentioned in connection with the player, then responded to a direct question asking if it was Sunderland said no.

Midlands-based journalist James Nursey has once again linked Sunderland with a move for Shrewsbury Town defender Aristote Nsiala. The once-capped Congolese international came through the ranks at Everton and was thought to be a target of Chris Coleman and in the Mirror’s live transfer blog, Nursey claimed we have a long-standing interest in the 26-year old.

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Carabao Cup draw imminent

The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup will take place tomorrow at 10.45am in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ahead of the draw the numbers have been released, unlike previous years there are no longer seedings for the first two rounds but regionalised draws remain.

Sunderland have been given number 33 in the draw, which will be drawn by Dennis Wise, Steve McManaman and former Sunderland striker Louis Saha.

First round matches are scheduled to take place the week commencing 13 August.

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