MIKE Dodds says he can't put a timescale on how long he expects to be in temporary charge of Sunderland but confirmed that club bosses have started the process of interviewing candidates for the manager's job.

Interim boss Dodds says he hasn't had the opportunity to speak to club bosses at length since he was handed the job after Tony Mowbray's sacking - but didn't rule himself out when asked whether he'd be interested in the job on a permanent basis.

Dodds was away from the North East on Monday night when he received a call from club chiefs informing him of the decision to sack Mowbray and asking him to take charge on an interim basis.

A planned day off on Tuesday was scrapped as Dodds reported to the Academy of Light and set about planning for Saturday's game against West Brom. Dodds - who confirmed he will make all of the first team decisions during his stint as interim boss - is joined by Michael Proctor, Alessandro Barcherini and Under-21s boss Graeme Murty in a new-look coaching team, but it's not clear at this stage how long they'll be in charge, with Sunderland facing Leeds next Tuesday night.

Dodds, who previously had a difficult stint as interim boss after Lee Johnson's exit, said: "I'm just taking it day-by-day. The last time I did this I worked day to day, and that was to my detriment.

"This time I've planned for a longer period. If someone comes in on Sunday then that's fine, but Leeds is all but prepared for, the plan for Sunday and Monday leading into Tuesday is all done.

"My responsibility now is to execute that. I'm looking forward to both games, I feel in a much better spot than when I previously took the team. I feel a lot more assured and confident with where we're taking the team.

"The group have been excellent, which is no surprise. We're fully prepared and today couldn't have gone any better, we feel we're in a good spot.

"It makes it a lot easier that I've been with this group for a long period of time, so there hasn't been a lot of change this week. The message has been that we have a really important game against a really important team, and we can't let anyone down."

Dodds says he hasn't had chance to speak to speak to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus or Kristjaan Speakman since initial conversations at the start of the week.

He said: "The hierarchy have been interviewing, so I haven't seen them. That's the way I'd want it, if I'm taking the team I want the responsibility to be on me and for it to be my on terms.

"All decisions are on my terms, and what I think is best for the group. I've not seen any of the hierarchy, they've been interviewing."

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Asked if he's interested in the role on a full-time basis, Dodds said: "I'll be honest, I haven't had time to think about it.

"I'm not trying to shirk away from the question, I'm really not. I got the phonecall late Monday evening. I wasn't actually in the North East I was away with my partner. The plan was I was meant to have Tuesday off and not take the recovery session, then the club obviously made the decision they've made, then it's been 100mph since then.

"I'm obsessively process focused. If I can get the process right and I can get clarity with the players, that's all I can do. Then on matchday it's up to them. I haven't really had much time to think about it. The reality is I love working for the football club and whoever the new guy is, if my responsibility changes that's fine, but I'd love to continue working for the football club."