North East Sport

Crystal Palace are reportedly in advanced talks to appoint Thomas Frank as their new boss after previously being loosely linked with Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg

Harry Kane says Will Lankshear is in the "perfect" place at Middlesbrough and the world's best player has been enormously impressed by his fellow striker's start to life on Teesside

Why Jules Ahoka has made such a positive impact since joining Sunderland from Royal Antwerp

Kim Hellberg feels Adilson Malanda and Ashley Phillips boast the ‘ideal physical attributes’ to play alongside each other at centre-half for Boro

Middlesbrough will be hoping for an Sky Bet Championship awards double after Kim Hellberg and Will Lankshear were both shortlisted for October

TERRY Mitchell says he's looking forward to get to work with Craig Elliott as the new Darlington boss prepares for his first game in charge.

Former Sunderland player Maurice Hepworth will explore the Darlington connection he shares with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford when he visits the town for a special event about his football career, life and debut book.

A new football initiative aimed at breaking down barriers for visually impaired children is set to get under way in Darlington this week.

Lifelong Newcastle United fan Angela Stanger-Leathes launches Footie Passion, selling official merchandise, books and signed memorabilia to fans worldwide.

Kim Hellberg has suggested Max Arfsten is likely to continue to be used in an attacking role for Middlesbrough, with Sam Byram getting the left-back nod at Watford

Luke O'Nien has revealed revisiting some of the most successful matches from last season helped Sunderland’s players rediscover battling qualities

Redcar ISE Football Academy launches at Redcar and Cleveland College, offering post-16 football training, education and pathways for Tees Valley talent.

New Darlington manager Craig Elliott will have a better idea of what he needs to recruit following his side's 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Oxford City

Craig Elliott is confident he will be able to “make a positive impact” at Darlington following his appointment as the club’s new boss

Newcastle United have been linked with a January move for Dinamo Zagreb striker Dion Drena Bjelo

Sunderland have confirmed full details of the hugely controversial "bubble" arrangements for when the Black Cats take on Newcastle in the first derby of the season next month

Middlesbrough's Rachel Jackson is celebrating becoming a Mixed Martial Arts World champion

Sunderland are assessing Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey before drawing up a detailed treatment schedule for the pair

Middlesbrough have strengthened their backroom team with the appointment of a new first team opposition analyst

Darlington hope to begin their escape from relegation under Craig Elliott against Oxford City tonight - but their new boss will not be picking the team

Kim Hellberg had early-season 'worries' with Middlesbrough - but they have been successfully addressed in the first 15 matches of the season

Luke O'Nien says there has to be ‘collective responsibility’ for Sunderland’s disappointing start to the season

EX-MIDDLESBROUGH boss Michael Carrick reported for training on Tuesday despite his days as Manchester United head coach appearing to be numbered as the club review his position and consider alternatives.

A County Durham golf club is set to be showcased to a national audience after hosting a Sky Sports filming crew for a popular television series.

Dan Burn has been recalled to the England squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header following Marc Guehi's injury withdrawal

Sunderland lifted themselves off the foot of the Premier League table as they beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light

Regis Le Bris has told Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi to draw a line under his troubled start to the season

Jacob Murphy felt Newcastle United's players "executed the game-plan brilliantly" in Saturday's draw at Fulham

David Strelec has linked up with the Slovakia squad on the back of an encouraging display for Middlesbrough in the weekend draw at Watford

Yarm & Eaglescliffe FC have signed a 25-year lease for Allens West with SPARK Education Trust, marking a major step towards finding a permanent home.

Ayresome Park’s famous sights and memories have been captured in a new calendar by cartoonist Graeme Bandeira celebrating Middlesbrough FC’s former home.

Regis Le Bris felt Sunderland’s much-improved display against Chelsea was a result of his players sensing the “danger” they had got themselves into

Player Ratings: Brian Brobbey was the Man of the Match as Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light

Enzo Le Fee's penalty proved decisive as Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light

Chemsdine Talbi will make his first league start of the season as Sunderland host Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon

Analysis of Middlesbrough's 0-0 draw at Watford in the absence of star striker Will Lankshear

Matthias Jaissle said Sean Steur was "fine" despite a second half injury scare as the midfielder impressed again in Saturday's draw at Fulham

Kim Hellberg was juggling both pride and anger after Middlesbrough's draw at Watford on Saturday

Regis Le Bris discusses Granit Xhaka and Jordan Henderson ahead of Sunderland's Premier League game against Chelsea today

Matthias Jaissle's verdict on Newcastle United's 1-1 draw at Fulham

Kim Hellberg updates on Will Lankshear's Middlesbrough injury

How Middlesbrough's players rated in the 0-0 draw against Watford in the Championship

Will Lankshear was sorely missed again as Middlesbrough had to settle for a point at Watford

Middlesbrough team news ahead of today's Championship game at Watford

Regis Le Bris says there's no simple answer to why his Sunderland side have suffered such a drop-off in the early stages of the season

Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle will be looking to make “adjustments” during the January transfer window

Granit Xhaka was a key member of Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen team and Chelsea tried to sign the Sunderland captain in the summer

A tribute to a man who is about to step down after devoting nearly 70 years to grass roots sport on Teesside. PETER BARRON reports

A charity golf day held in memory of Steve Dovaston from Sedgefield has raised nearly £9,000 for Blood Cancer UK.

Darlington have confirmed the appointment of Craig Elliott as their new manager, with the 48-year-old having stepped down from his previous position at NPL East side Bradford Park Avenue in order to take over at Blackwell Meadows.