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.

Photo: Allan Picken

busterjames1 added 20:29 - May 23 If it all goes pear shape ....Lambert and Harry boy will be on the blower !!
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blue added 21:29 - May 23 George Burley we know your coming get your hat and coat on we know you and you know ipswich town fc .
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ipswich134 added 22:22 - May 23 Typical Sunderland, I blame it on them. Unprofessional.
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BooM76 added 22:31 - May 23 We should have kept MM and sent him on some training courses to support his growth and needs in the job ... or hire Lampard ... that would have been a train wreck!
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itfcitk added 07:59 - May 24 Ross wanted to come to Ipswich but playing and coaching staff were not keen. ME spoke of a potential deal but I expect the deal on the table far exceeds the potential offer from Ipswich.
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Barty added 08:30 - May 24 A complete and utter farce. I hope Sunderland drop down to league 2 after next season. So called big club - crap
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ArnieMsBigToe added 09:22 - May 24 I have just checked and you can fly to/from Ipswich - Scotland. With all the money that Ross will have, I don't think there'll be a problem for him and his family nipping back and forth. Also, I believe Ross is ambitious, and to start at a championship club has got to be better than starting at League 1. Well that is what I'm hoping . . . If MM/TC were on £1.5 million between them, I think that might be enough to tempt him.

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blue62 added 10:06 - May 24 No one knows what is going on. So any whinging here is totally unnecessary, unless you know the process that ME is going through. At the end of the day if Ross has two offers then it is up to him to make his choice between the clubs. Those that are saying the Sunderland supporters treat their managers poorly may need to look at how some treated MM. We may get a total curve ball and someone that has not been mentioned maybe the target. Hopefully sorted in the next few weeks so the new man will have a full pre season with the team.

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SuffolkPunch70 added 10:18 - May 24 GARY WHITE'S BARMY ARMY
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 19:19 - May 24 I'm bored of the speculation, rumors and BS. Wake me when it's over. Either we'll have a good manager in a month, or we won't. It's as simple as that.
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coolcat added 22:17 - May 24 Starting to wear a bit thin. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. He'll probably end up at Partick Thistle or something like that. Lost interest, quite honestly. Will take more notice when the new manager is announced.
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