Graeme Souness is favoured to return to Blackburn Rovers.

With Paul Ince expected to be shown the door, the Daily Mail says Graeme Souness, with veteran midfielder Tugay as coach, remains at the forefront of their thinking but Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce were also considered.

Tentative inquiries were made about Allardyce's position regarding the vacancy at Sunderland but support on the board for the former Bolton manager is in the minority.

Souness, though, would be open-minded about negotiations over the term of any deal and has a good relationship with chairman John Williams and Tugay who, importantly, would also have the support of the players.