SUNDERLAND have appointed Danny Philpott to the role of assistant academy manager.

Philpott, who has strong links to the Black Cats' sporting director Lee Congerton, has joined from Everton and will oversee academy recruitment and assist academy manager Ged McNamee.

He brings more than 15 years experience. As head of national recruitment at Everton, he was responsible for managing the national and international scouting network and signing of players aged 12-21. He is also a member of the Football Association’s Talent Identification working group.

Philpott said: "With such a solid structure and talented Academy team in place, and one that's fully aligned and supportive of the EPPP, joining Sunderland is a hugely exciting opportunity for me.

"I'm really looking forward to playing my part in successfully developing more home grown players to integrate into the first team.

“Initially focusing on aligning our recruitment approach from our very youngest Academy talent right through to the first team, I'll also be working with Ged McNamee and Lee Congerton in other areas of the Academy to ensure we continue to develop Sunderland as one of the leading programmes in the Premier League."

McNamee said: “We are delighted to welcome Danny to the academy. He brings with him a wealth of experience, together with a great knowledge of and enthusiasm for youth football which will benefit us greatly as we look to continue to develop our academy for the future.”

Sunderland's sporting director, Congerton, added: “I am delighted that Danny has agreed to join us at Sunderland. I have known him for many years and he is a fantastic addition to our great team of people here."

The Wearside club have also revealed that Sunderland's ticket allocation of almost 2,000 for the trip to Liverpool on December 6 has sold out.