Sunderland have now been given permission to speak to St Mirren manager and Town target Jack Ross, according to a report in Scotland. The Blues are also said to remain an option for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year.
Earlier, Ross was widely reported to be the man new Sunderland owner Stewart Donald was talking about when he said he was close to naming a new boss at the Stadium of Light.
"We've agreed terms and literally the contracts are with the lawyers," Donald said.
"The man in question is absolutely thrilled, which is what we want, and I'm absolutely delighted that he's coming, so that's exciting for us. I'm hoping that by the end of the day, we can reveal that."
The Black Cats were said to have agreed a two-year deal with Ross, who would be earning five times his current salary, with the contract having an option for a further season, while St Mirren were due to receive £50,000 in compensation.
However, Buddies chairman Gordon Scott subsequently dismissed claims that his club's 41-year-old manager was in talks with the Black Cats, saying no approach had been made to the Scottish Championship winners.
"There has been no contact from Sunderland with us and Jack is on holiday. So unless there is some major skulduggery going on then it's nonsense,” he insisted.
We understand St Mirren have granted Jack Ross permission to speak to Sunderland.
Talks are ongoing - with Ipswich remaining an option, as does staying in Paisley. pic.twitter.com/iRGbjZiuH4– Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) May 23, 2018
But now Scottish radio station Clyde 1 is reporting that permission has been granted to Sunderland to speak to Ross but with a move to Town "remaining an option” as does staying with St Mirren.
Ross has twice spoken with Blues owner Marcus Evans and was understood to be one of two remaining candidates to succeed Mick McCarthy along with Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst.
The 43-year-old, whose Shrews side face Rotherham in the League One play-off final on Sunday, is now the 6-4 odds-on favourite for the Blues job with Bet Victor with Ross now behind him at 8-1 along with former Wales and Sunderland boss Chris Coleman.
Frank Lampard is at 11-1 and Scott Parker and Tim Sherwood at 12-1, all three having been interviewed by Evans.