According to the Northern Echo, Sunderland are closing in on naming David Moyes’ successor, with Simon Grayson and Derek McInnes the continued favourites with the bookmakers to be appointed at the Stadium of Light.

Both managers are currently employed elsewhere, but are targets for Sunderland, who are heading back into the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since 2007, after a disappointing last 12-months under Moyes.

Grayson is currently with Sunderland’s Championship rivals, Preston North End, where he has helped the Lilywhites establish themselves in the second-tier, after guiding them to promotion in League One during the 2014/15 campaign.

Despite never achieving promotion from the Championship, Grayson has been a success in the Football League, with four promotions to his name from spells with Blackpool, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Preston.

Aberdeen’s McInnes is another who is among the favourites to replace Moyes, and the 45-year old enjoyed a successful 2016/17 campaign, leading his side to second in the Scottish Premiership.

Free agents, Garry Monk and Nigel Pearson, are under consideration from Sunderland, but the duo are in the frame for the managerial vacancy at Middlesbrough, as they also look for a permanent manager ahead of their return to the Championship.

Sunderland are expected to name their new manager before the end of the week, with Martin Bain, the club's chief executive, understood to have started the interview process at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland fans… Who do you want to see become your club’s manager? Can Grayson or McInnes take you back to the Premier League? Let us know your thoughts!