Sunderland’s executive directors will resume discussions regarding their search for a new manager after the pivotal home game against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow, after which the process of initiating official contact is expected to begin.

Niall Quinn, the club’s chairman, and his fellow board members met at the Stadium of Light for three hours yesterday afternoon to whittle down the 35 candidates who have approached the club, whether directly or through intermediaries, about succeeding Roy Keane, into a more manageable shortlist.

The immediate priority, however, is a vital fixture in their quest to avoid relegation, with Quinn and his colleagues eager to prevent their deliberations from overshadowing the match preparations of Ricky Sbragia, who is overseeing first-team affairs.

There will be no appointment before West Brom’s visit, with Sbragia, first-team coach under Keane, again leading the side for his first home match in charge after last weekend’s 1-0 defeat away to Manchester United. Keane resigned from his post eight days ago.

In 2006, Quinn struggled to attract a manager of calibre to Sunderland — briefly installing himself in the role before Keane’s appointment — but the club are now a vastly different proposition from that which failed to persuade the likes of Martin O’Neill, Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley to move north two years ago.

Established in the Barclays Premier League, albeit now in the relegation zone, and with a squad full of international players, Sunderland have reinvented themselves and, thanks to Keane, have a global profile.

That has been enhanced by the arrival of Ellis Short, the United States-based businessman, as the club’s majority shareholder, and there is recognition that the identity of their next manager will be crucial to their continued development, on and off the pitch. Quinn is determined not to be rushed.