'Sunderland will think they’re far too big for League One' – Grayson

Fleetwood Town boss Simon Grayson says his side will have respect for Sunderland this weekend – but insists no one has a divine right to win promotion.

Gray son managed the Black Cats in 2017, but was sacked after just 18 games on Wearside.

The 51-year-old was appointed Fleetwood boss in January, following spells with Blackpool and Bradford, replacing Joey Barton in the Highbury hotseat.

Fleet wood currently sit 17 th in the League One table ahead of their meeting with Sunderland, but they did win 4-2 at Rotherham last time out.

Lee Johnson’s side remained top of the table following a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley, yet Grayson believes his side will be able to match the Black Cats.

“I don’t focus on the league table, nor do I read it at this point and I’m not interested in what other teams do,” said Grayson when asked about Sunderland.

“Our main focus is how we’re doing; allegedly Sunderland are top of the table but we have to make sure we embrace these games. Not many teams enjoy coming to High bury, they will look at us and see we’re on a decent run of form and have some quality players.

"We do have to respect Sunderland though, they will think they’re far too big for the division and will think they have been here for far too long, noone has a divine right to get out of the division, you have to earn it.”

Fleetwood came from 2-1 down to beat Rotherham and Grayson was pleased with the attacking qualities his side showed. “We’re on a run of positivity and we need to take advantage of it,” he added.

“If you look back to last Saturday’s result our players weren’ t prepared to just see the game out, but we were ruth less and went to get the next goal.”

“In an ideal situation you go in-front in games and that’ s the way it stays, but the character we have in our squad shows that we do emphasise that we can go out and capitalise on it.

"Our players spoke between themselves in the dressing room, and it always makes my job a lot easier.”

*Three former Sunderland managers have been priced as outsiders for the vacant Nottingham Forest job.

Forest parted company with Chris Hughton following a 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Roy Keane has been priced at 25/1 to return to the club he started his career in England, alongside Chris Coleman (28/1) and Sam Allardyce (33/1).