Sunderland has narrowed a shortlist of potential replacement managers to a handful with ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier leading the way.

Former Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is also an enormous chance to take the reigns at the Stadium of Light following the resignation of Roy Keane.

Other potential candidates include former Sunderland striker and current Rangers number two, Ally McCoist and Alan Curbishley.

At present, the Black Cats are being tended to by caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia.