MIKE Dodds hasn't received any update from Sunderland's bosses on the search for a new head coach - with the interim manager revealing that he's preparing for the possibility of still being in charge for Saturday's game at Bristol City as well as tomorrow night's visit of Leeds United.
However, Dodds insists he hasn't considered the prospect of being a candidate for the role himself on the back of Saturday's impressive 2-1 win over West Brom.
Sunderland started the process of finding a replacement for Tony Mowbray last week with more talks with candidates planned for the coming days.
Other than a very brief well done after Saturday's game, Dodds says he hasn't spoken to Kristjaan Speakman or Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and will continue to prepare the side for the coming games until he's told otherwise.
"I want to give you something else but that's what it is," said Dodds in his press conference on Monday.
Asked whether he'd heard from club chiefs, Dodds added: "There was a well done after the game and a few handshakes and we'll fill you in when we have some more information."
Dodds will be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night and there's every chance he'll still be in charge for Saturday's game at Ashton Gate.
He said: "That was always the plan prior to West Brom, that we'd map the next three or four games out, even the Coventry game beyond that. There's already preparations gone on for Bristol behind the scenes.
"We have to focus tomorrow night but when they come back in on Thursday that two-day lead-in will all be organised."
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Dodds guided Sunderland to an impressive win over rivals West Brom on Saturday but insists he's not considering the possibility of getting the head coach job on a full-time basis.
He said: "If I had a pound for every time someone asked me that.
"No, it hasn't (crossed my mind), I'll be honest with you. Without going over old ground, I knew how difficult these two games would be.
"I literally haven't had any time to think about anything other than West Brom, and then after the game I said to the players enjoy the next hour because we have to be fully prepared for Tuesday. Then when Wednesday comes around, we'll see how the performance goes, we have Wednesday off so I might get a bit of a breather then and reflection time."
Dodds must now decide whether to tinker with the side against Leeds after the Albion victory, with Alex Pritchard having staked his claim for a start after assisting both goals from the bench on Saturday.
"Any decisions I do make, whether it's to bring anyone else in or not, you have to take the human element into consideration," said Dodds.
"The preparation has gone as we would have hoped, there's no new injuries and everyone is fully fit and able to start. The decision is how much we want to tinker or change."
Jewison Bennette is again unavailable after picking up an ankle injury.
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