Luton Town boss Nathan Jones is a contender for the Sunderland job.

Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has been finalising his shortlist and speaking to candidates since parting company with boss Simon Grayson.

Bain had been keen on using his former Rangers connections and bring in former Sunderland striker Ally McCoist, possibly working alongside Walter Smith.

However, owner Ellis Short is understood to be unsure of the credentials of McCoist, and wants the search to continue.

Former Wolves, Norwich and Blackburn boss Paul Lambert is keen and is on Bain’s shortlist, but I understand the club are looking at other candidates, mainly from the lower leagues – one of which is Jones.

The former Brighton midfielder, who played over 500 games in his career, is one of the most highly-rated managers in the lower leagues and guided them to the play-off final in League Two last season.

Jones only signed a new long-term deal earlier this year and is contracted to Luton until 2020 – but Sunderland could very well come calling.

Bookmakers have Jones already installed at 16/1 for the job.

BetVictor’s Head of antepost Football Michael Triffitt spoke with the us about the Sunderland market.

“The Sunderland manager market continues to be a murky one and with many candidates backed at fancy prices it has a somewhat strange feel with perhaps the current prices more reflecting liabilities rather than actual chances,” he said.

“John O’Shea is market leader at 6/4 but he is really only at the head after support at big prices . Ally McCoist is another well backed at double figures but reports seem to be emerging he will not be considered so the former Rangers manager has eased to 4/1 from 5/2. Phil Brown is still well thought of and doing a good job on a tight budget at Southend. He is 5/1 with former Middlesbrough gaffer Aitor Karaka 8/1 having been a short priced favourite himself last week.

!The new name to appear and introduced at 16/1 is Luton manager Nathan Jones, who has done an eye catching job with the Hatters who are favourites for League Two. Whether anyone currently secure in employment would actually consider the Black Cats remains questionable however as with the North East club sliding down the Championship table and currently bottom it is becoming perhaps a poisonous chalice!”