Bookmakers have suspended the betting on Simon Grayson being appointed the new Sunderland manager.

Sunderland, who have confirmed that they are no longer in takeover talks with German consortium to takeover, have confirmed that they are in talks with Grayson after Preston North End gave permission.

Owner Ellis Short sanctioned the move Grayson after he committed to taking the club forward in the immediate future.

Sunderland have gone for Grayson after failing to secure a number of others names like Derek McInnes and Garry Monk – who opted instead for local rivals Middlesbrough.

Now bookmakers have decided to pull the plug on Grayson getting the job as he appears on the brink of taking charge at the Stadium of Light.

BetVictor’s Head of antepost Football Michael Triffitt about the build up to the market close and he told us: “Grayson opened at 25/1 and was 2/7 when the axe came down on the market.”

We also spoke with Ross Gregory, the head of Sport at the Sunderland Echo, he told us: “Simon Grayson may not be an appointment to set the pulses racing among SAFC fans but he is a safe pair of hands, with knowledge and experience of life in the Championship.

“While he’s leaving a secure and steady job at Preston, you gave to take risks in life sometimes and the potential at Sunderland is still huge.”