Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, Barnsley's Paul Heckingbottom and former Rangers manager Ally McCoist are on Sunderland's shortlist to replace the sacked Simon Grayson.
Chief executive Martin Bain is hoping to speak to candidates before the weekend and O'Neill has now emerged as one of the frontrunners after Northern Ireland lost their World Cup play-off against Switzerland this week.
Meanwhile, Sportsmail understands both Heckingbottom and McCoist are interested in the vacancy.
Sunderland are bottom of the Championship and were beaten 3-0 by Heckingbottom’s Barnsley in August.