Sunderland are considering an approach for Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom.
Sportsmail understands the 40-year-old is interested in the vacancy and that will encourage Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain, who sacked Simon Grayson two weeks ago after a 13-match winless run.
Sunderland are bottom of the Championship and were beaten 3-0 by Heckingbottom’ s Barnsley in August.
The 40-year-old began his playing career on Wearside after being released from Manchester United’s youth ranks but did not make a senior appearance.