Jack Ross has underlined his determination to keep Jon McLaughlin on Wearside - but admits he does not expect a resolution to contract talks any time soon.
The Scotland international goalkeeper enjoyed an excellent first season after joining Sunderland last summer but is now in the final year of his current contract.
Ross revealed last month that negotiations had begun over an extension but says no announcement is 'imminent'.
However he wants McLaughlin to stay at the club as first choice and believes the 31-year-old former Hearts man would also be happy to commit his future to the Black Cats.
Ross is not directly involved in contract talks, adding: " I think I've said openly that there is a part of the club that is outwith my control.
"I suppose my opinion or my wish, if you like, is the starting point and I would like to keep Jon at the club for as long as I can, but then it gets taken out of my hands to a degree.
"My wish is that he is made an offer to that makes him want to commit to the club for longer because I think he is worthy of that, but that is in the hands of other people at the moment.
"I think Jon’s desire would be to commit himself for longer as well and it's certainly my desire so that's a good starting point.
"It's then a case of how those discussions move on.
"I don't think there's anything imminent."
And with McLaughlin able to leave for nothing next summer, the onus is on Sunderland to tie him down to a new contract.
Ross admitted: "I think Jon’s fairly relaxed about it because he has another year left and he is performing well and playing well, so for him there is an obvious benefit, potentially, at the end of the season."
Prior to McLaughlin's arrival, goalkeeper had been a problem position for Sunderland with Jason Steele, Robbin Ruiter, and the on-loan Lee Camp all making multiple errors as the Black Cats were relegated from the Championship in 2017-18.
By contrast, McLaughlin was consistent and reliable last season.
Ross said: "It's a difficult position to get right and we feel as if if we got it right last year and we don't want to find ourselves in a year's time or six months’ time trying to fill that void again."
Ruiter left Sunderland this summer and the Black Cats signed former Coventry City keeper Lee Burge as cover for McLaughlin, with the new man doing enough in pre-season to suggest that he is very capable backup for the Scot.
