Black Cats search goes on

SUNDERLAND are still to identify the man they want to take the club forward as they continue their search for a new manager.

Chief executive Martin Bain has held talks with potential candidates i n recent days and the odds o n B a r n s l e y ’s P a u l Heckingbottom returning to the club where he was a trainee have tumbled to evens with some bookmakers.

However, it is understood Bain is still pondering a range of options for an appointment he simply cannot afford to get wrong after David Moyes and Simon Grayson both presided over disastrous spells at the Stadium of Light.

Heckingbottom is understood to be in the running, while f ormer Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has been linked with the vacancy and Ally McCoist, who worked with Bain at Rangers, has also come under consideration.

But sources onWearside have i ndicated that no appointment is imminent with the search having entered its third week.