Former West Ham United and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley says he's in the dark over whether he is under consideration for the Sunderland job.

"I don't think anyone really knows what is going to go on and it is just speculation. Obviously Sunderland need to get a manager and Niall [Quinn] has come out and said they will take their time because it's a big appointment," Curbishley told Setanta.

"It's a big club and big job itself. When you find yourself in the bottom three around about this time, it is a lot of hard work to get out of it."

Curbishley is quick to point out that his potential interest in the Sunderland vacancy counts for little.

"I think it is more that Niall Quinn or the board have to be interested in you. We'll have to see what happens," he added.

"They have done fantastically well to get promotion in the first place. They consolidated last year and I must admit I did not expect Sunderland to be where they are.

"It was Roy's decision [to quit] and he obviously got into a situation where he felt it was best for him to leave."