Chelsea coach Eddie Newton has applied for the Sunderland job.

The Black Cats have stepped up their search for a new manager this week and are expected to meet potential candidates in the coming days.

And Newton, who was Blues' assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo, is looking to take his first giant leap into management, says the Sunderland Echo.

The 45-year-old currently works as Chelsea's loan technical coach and is responsible for the huge pool of talent the club send across Europe out on loan.

Newton helped win promotion as assistant manager to Di Matteo with West Brom before being part of the backroom team when Chelsea won both the Champions League and FA Cup.