Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has emerged as a leading contender for the Sunderland job.

I understand that Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain has been using former Rangers boss Walter Smith – as a consultant, and he been in talks with him about Sunderland’s immediate future, both on the manager and transfers front.

And sources have told me that both Bain and Smith are huge fans of McInnes and the work he has been doing at Aberdeen, and he is now a prime candidate to replace David Moyes – who left the club on Monday evening.

Bain has already been considering a number of options but he wants a new boss to be confirmed as soon as possible, in order for the club to plan ahead of life in the Championship.

One of the other options, and certainly the cheapest one – but also most popular with the fans, would be Kevin Ball – who is currently senior professional development coach.

Sunderland will have to wait at least until next week to pursue their interest in McInnes, who guided Aberdeen to a second place finish in the Scottish Premiership, as he has the Scottish FA Cup final against Celtic this weekend.

McInnes, who was under consideration for the Rangers job before they went for Caixinha, but a job with a club the size of Sunderland would likely be very hard for him to turn down.

Bookmakers make Ball and former striker Kevin Phillips favourite for the post, with McInnes currently at 12/1.