Sunderland boss Lee Johnson has confirmed that former Bristol City teammate and assistant manager Jamie McAllister has been working with him at the North East club, which has drawn an interesting reaction from many Robins fans.

Johnson was sacked by City back in July but made his return to management on the weekend as he was appointed as the Black Cats' new manager.

Reports on Sunday suggested that talks were being held over bringing McAllister in as his assistant and the new Sunderland boss has since confirmed that the Scotsman has been working with him already.

He said (via Chronicle Live): "Jamie was here today, helping to take training and that is one thing we are certainly looking to do.

"I think it's important that we have some stability in the staff, we are not looking to come in and kill everybody off!

"We want to make sure that everyone has that security and then, just like the players, they can express their personality."

McAllister played with Johnson at City for five-and-a-half years and served as his assistant during the 39-year-old's four-year spell in charge at Ashton Gate – leaving not long after Johnson did in the summer.

Last week it was reported that the former Scotland international was close to becoming the new manager of National League North side Gloucester City but it appears he has opted to reunite with his former Robins teammate at the Stadium of Light instead.

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Having made more than 200 appearances for the club as a player and then spent years at Ashton Gate as a coach, McAllister was a fairly popular figure at City and this update has certainly caught the attention of some fans of the South West club.

Raed their reaction here: