Former Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is the latest name to emerge as a contender to become Sunderland's new manager.
The Black Cats sacked Jack Ross on Tuesday after an indifferent start to the season and are set to talk to prospective candidates to replace him this weekend.
Former Bolton and Bradford boss Phil Parkinson is said to be one of those owner Stewart Donald will speak to, and he has been installed as a huge favourite with the bookmakers.
Sunderland have also been granted permission to speak to Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth, while they have made contact with former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel.
Wigan manager Paul Cook is another name that has been mooted and it is believed he would be keen to speak with the Black Cats.
Parkinson, Stendel and Cook all have League One promotions on their CV, while Ainsworth has guided his Wycombe side to second place in the League One table this term.
Another man who has a League One promotion under his belt is Pearson and he has emerged as the surprise latest contender to take the Stadium of Light hotseat.
The Sun report that Pearson has come into Donald’s thinking - and he could bring with him club legend Kevin Phillips as his No 2.
Phillips, as well as former Blackpool and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway, declared their own interest in taking the job this week but he has worked under Pearson before at Leicester City.
Pearson guided Leicester to promotion from League One in 2009 and from the Championship in 2014 but has been out of work since February when he left Belgian side OH Leuven.
