The latest in Sunderland's head coach search features in this week's North East Notes, as well as the future of a former striker target for the Black Cats.

There's also Newcastle's pursuit of Michael Olise and what that tells us about what to potentially expect this summer, but we'll start with Middlesbrough...

MIDDLESBROUGH SET FOR POTENTIAL CASH BOOST THIS SUMMER

Middlesbrough will be keeping a close eye on developments with a former player this summer - and look increasingly likely to benefit from a cash boost.

Swansea City are braced for interest and bids in former Boro defender Nathan Wood in the coming weeks.

Wood left the Riverside for Swansea two summers ago when former boss Chris Wilder sanctioned the exit of the young centre-half.

The 22-year-old has impressed in Wales and established himself as one of the Championship's best central defenders, in the eyes of Swansea boss Luke Williams.

Swansea's former boss Russell Martin attempted to take Wood to Southampton with him when he made the move to St Mary's last summer, with Saints failing with two bids worth up to £10m.

Swansea managed to keep hold of Wood then but are braced for the exit of the centre-half this summer. The Swans recently activated a contract extension to keep Wood for a further 12 months but boss Williams admits interest and bids are inevitable - with Southampton expected to make another move.

“Young players playing a lot of Championship football at a decent level will always attract attention from suitors,” said Williams this week.

“I can’t talk any more than that at the moment but it is fair to say that some players have attracted interest.”

Williams previously admitted that Swansea might have to cash in this summer with Wood potentially available on a free in a year's time.

“There’s an obvious conclusion to be drawn there, that this might be the correct moment [to sell] because it makes sense all round maybe,” Williams said.

“We are not going to be advertising that there is a sale on, half-price, come and get him because he is an unreal player - we love him to pieces.

“But the situation that presents itself [means] it’s plausible that [a transfer] will happen.”

When Wood left for Swansea, Boro inserted what was previously described to the Northern Echo as a "very healthy" sell-on clause.

Wood was rated highly at the Riverside but didn't feature in Wilder's plans and was at the stage where he wanted to be playing regular football.

Boro were aware of the defender's potential, hence ensuring they included the sell-on clause when agreeing to his exit.

FORMER PREMIER LEAGUE STRIKER WATCHING SUNDERLAND DEVELOPMENTS

The wait for Sunderland's new head coach goes on and although the dugout remains unoccupied, it's been another dramatic week of twists on Wearside.

After Pascal Jansen was ruled out of the running a week ago today, Liam Rosenior emerged as favourite, only for him to fall out of the running. Frank Lampard was then installed as the odds-on favourite with the bookies but the former England midfielder has never featured in Sunderland's thinking.

Another manager whose odds have tumbled in in recent days is Robbie Keane.

There's been no contact between Sunderland and the former Liverpool and Tottenham striker at this stage, but it's understood Keane is monitoring the situation and would be interested in in the role if the opportunity was to present itself.

Keane is available this summer having left his role as Maccabi Tel Aviv manager after a year in charge.

The 43-year-old guided the club to the Israeli Premier League title in May having also reached the last-16 of the Europa Conference League.

As things stand, it's understood the Black Cats have a leading target as they look to bring a swift end to what has been an extremely long and drawn out search. With the start of pre-season just a couple of weeks away, there's a pressing urgency to make an appointment, with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus having said nine days ago he hoped the arrival of a new boss was "imminent".

Marti Cifuentes is admired by Sunderland but it's not clear how easy or possible it would be to lure the Spaniard from Loftus Road.

Rene Maric is another who has always been at the top end of Sunderland's wishlist. The Bayern Under-19s boss was widely expected to step-up and join Vincent Kompany's first team staff at the Allianz Arena but that move has not yet been confirmed, despite Kompany having now been in place for more than a fortnight.

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FUTURE OF FORMER SUNDERLAND STRIKER TARGET

This time last year Jay Stansfield was a leading Sunderland target as they looked to bolster their forward line.

And at one stage former boss Tony Mowbray was pretty sure the Black Cats had landed the Fulham youngster - only for a late twist when Stansfield instead opted to join Birmingham City.

Despite Birmingham's relegation, Stansfield still impressed, making 43 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

And the 21-year-old has emerged as a top target for Hull City this summer as the Tigers look to build on their seventh-place finish last term and challenge for promotion under new boss Tim Walter.

They may well face disappointment in their pursuit of Stansfield, though.

At the end of the season Fulham boss Marco Silva said he wanted the striker in his ranks at Craven Cottage next term.

“He’s going to be back with us”, said Silva.

“He played the season before in League One [with Exeter City], and to be able to give a step forward in the Championship and be an important piece in the attack-line and score important goals [was pleasing]. Jay achieved all the important things.

“Now is the moment for him to come back and be one of the players in our attacking line for next season.”

Situations such as Stansfield's often change throughout a window and Championship clubs will be keeping a close eye on things.

While the head coach is the obvious glaring priority for Sunderland right now, once the new boss is in place, attention will need to swiftly turn to strengthening the squad, with a striker a must.

NEWCASTLE RIGHT WINGER AIMS

An awful lot has understandably been made of Newcastle's limitations in the summer transfer window as the Magpies look to ensure they don't fall foul of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

And while United will obviously need to cut their cloth accordingly, this week's Michael Olise developments offer a glimpse of the bold intentions on Tyneside.

Lloyd Kelly is in and the hope is James Trafford will follow. But if what could be classed as a high-profile or star signing was to arrive this summer, it will be a right winger.

Newcastle could reluctantly sell Yankuba Minteh and Miguel Almiron's future is uncertain. A right-sided attacker is a priority for Howe and, while Newcastle face an uphill battle to capture in-demand Olise, the interest shows the Magpies are setting their sights high.