Luton Town boss Nathan Jones has reportedly emerged as a potential target for Sunderland.
After the decision was made to sack Simon Grayson last week, Sunderland are in need of a new manager with the club currently sitting at the bottom of the Championship table.
Defender John O'Shea is currently regarded as the bookmakers' favourites but according to the Sunderland Echo, highly-rated Jones is under consideration.
Since January 2016, Jones has won 50 of his 102 matches in charge of the Hatters, with the club missing out on promotion to the third tier last season after defeat in the playoff semi-finals.
The 44-year-old is under contract at Kenilworth Road until 2020, but that has not stopped the former Brighton & Hove Albion coach being linked with clubs higher up the pyramid.
Sunderland will be keen to make an appointment before the club's next league fixture, which is at home to Millwall on November 18.
