Friday 17 November 2017 16:19, UK
Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom says he has not been approached by Sunderland about their vacant manager's job.
The 40-year-old, who has impressed in his 21 months in charge at the Tykes, is under consideration by the Black Cats board to succeed Simon Gayson, Sky Sports News understands.
Heckingbottom said on Thursday that he does not think Barnsley would stand in his way if they received the right offer but at the moment he is treating information on the switch as "speculation".
"It is not the first time (I have been discussed by others for another job) so I am used to the speculation, and I treat it as such," Heckingbottom told Sky Sports News.
"It's something I've had to deal with over the last 18 months, regarding myself or the players, but I treat it as speculation because otherwise it becomes a distraction.
"No (there has been no contact), nothing. Until there is contact with a club, I just focus on my job.
"if you put it into perspective it's because we're doing something right. It means we've recruited well, and have worked with them well, and they are performing well on the pitch.
"So, on the back of that there's speculation, and it's a pat on the back for the work you are doing. We're being recognised."
Having guided Barnsley to promotion via the play-offs in a caretaker capacity, Heckingbottom took charge on a permanent basis in the summer of 2016 and they finished a creditable 14th last season.
The Tykes are 16th at present, ahead of the trip to Norwich on Saturday, while Sunderland are rock-bottom and sacked manager Simon Grayson after a 3-3 draw with Bolton at the end of last month.
