Sunderland manager Jack Ross has delivered a firm message to Sunderland fans after recent links with Championship side West Brom.

It was believed the Baggies were lining up a move for his services after dismissing Darren Moore recently, seeing potential in the Scot after he's taken Sunderland to within a whisker of a return to the second tier.

It's also reported that his name may appear on a list being drawn up of possible replacements for Alex McLeish as his disastrous reign as Scotland manager lurches to a conclusion.

Ross has said it is his ultimate ambition to manage his country, but he's in no mood to speculate at the moment.

“I genuinely haven’t read anything this week – I’m trying to be clear-headed about what we’re trying to do,” he told the Northern Echo. “I’ve said time and time again how much I enjoy this job, and also how much I’ve still got to do within it."

“For however long I’m here, that’s what I’ll be focused on, and my commitment to the job I’ve got to do here hasn’t changed. That’s the only thing I’m focused on and there’s still an awful lot of things I want to achieve at Sunderland Football Club.”

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The Black Cats host Doncaster Rovers tomorrow, hoping to match Portsmouth's result and better that of Barnsley. That situation would see them return to the top two, with four matches remaining of the normal season.

The Verdict

This is a crucial time in Sunderland's history, they will not want another season in League One, so any distractions are not going to be welcome.

Ross should be hot property, he's done a good job at Sunderland, but there's no need to jump ship to West Brom. They've not got the same potential as the Black Cats and if Ross stays put and takes them back to the Premier League, he'll be a hero for life.