Sunderland are currently searching for a new manager, after making the decision to part company with Jack Ross last week.

Ross was able to guide the Black Cats to two Wembley finals in his first season in charge at the Stadium of Light, but his failure to win promotion from League One last season and an indifferent start to the new campaign had increased the pressure on him.

The club finally decided to terminate his contract last week and have already begun the process of searching for his replacement.

If recent reports are to be believed, the Black Cats have drawn up a shortlist of potential managers and are hoping to make a decision by the end of the week. One manager who the club have held talks with is former Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson.

Here are two Sunderland players who will be encouraged by the club holding talks with Parkinson...

Will Grigg

Grigg joined Sunderland from Wigan Athletic in January and was expected to score the goals to fire the Black Cats to automatic promotion last season, but he's really struggled to make an impact since arriving at the Stadium of Light.

The striker scored just four league goals for Sunderland last season and he's struggled for opportunities in the team so far this term, making just two starts in League One.

The striker has been pushed down the pecking order by the arrival of Marc McNulty on loan from Reading and will be hoping to get more opportunities in the team under Parkinson, should he take charge at the Stadium of Light.

Lee Burge

Burge arrived at Sunderland in the summer after leaving Coventry City and has impressed on his three appearances for the Black Cats so far, although he's been forced to play second fiddle to the experienced Jon McLaughlin in League One.

Even though he's yet to keep a clean sheet, McLaughlin has started every game for Sunderland in League One this season.

Burge has impressed in his three performances for the Black Cats in the Carabao Cup this season and kept a clean sheet against Sheffield United.

Parkinson is an experienced manager and has shown in the past that he isn't afraid to make the big decisions. If he were to take charge at the Stadium of Light, Burge will surely be hoping that he would be given a chance to impress in the league.

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