Sunderland are yet to make an official approach for Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom, one of the leading targets to fill their managerial vacancy.
Heckingbottom has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland still sourcing their replacement for Simon Grayson who was sacked last month.
Sky Sports News reported on Monday that Heckingbottom and Ally McCoist are among the names being considered to take over from Grayson, who left with the club rooted to the bottom of the table and with just one win all season.
Reports on Tuesday morning hinted that Sunderland wanted to get a deal with Heckingbottom over the line in time for their home clash with Millwall on Saturday.
But Sky Sports News understands there is yet to be an approach for the 40-year-old, who had two seasons with the club in his early days as a player but did not feature for the first team.
Heckingbottom has proved successful since taking over at Oakwell in February 2016, having guided Barnsley to promotion from League One through the play-offs at the end of that season and then consolidating in the second tier in 2016-17.
They currently sit nine points above Sunderland in 15th place, also having a game in hand.
Robbie Stockdale remains in caretaker charge of the Black Cats, now working on his own after the departure of Billy McKinlay to join former Sunderland boss David Moyes at West Ham.