Sunderland’s new owners are making progress with their new manager, but a shortlist has been made.

I understand that Leicester assistant Michael Appleton, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder and Wigan manager Paul Cook and their former striker Kevin Phillips are all on The Black Cats’ radar.

I can also reveal that former New Zealand boss Anthony Hudson is also on their wanted list – the current Colorado Rapids boss is known to prospective new Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald.

Donald, the current chairman of non-league Eastleigh, is heading up a number of investors taking over the relegated Championship outfit from US owner Ellis Short.

Donald has wasted little time in putting together a shortlist for a new manager after Chris Coleman was dismissed.

Former Oxford boss Appleton is believed to be looking again at being the top man again, whilst both Wilder and Cook have burgeoning reputations in the game.

Hudson, the son of former England star Alan, is just 37 – but already has a well of experience and is rated very highly in the game.

Phillips, meanwhile, would be a hugely popular choice with the fans – and he is currently without a club after leaving Derby’s coaching staff earlier this year.

Wilder and Appleton are the early favourites for the role at the Stadium of Light, with BetVictor pricing them at 6/5 and 6/4 respectively.

Cook is 8/1 whilst Phillips is 12/1 and Hudson is 14/1, as Sunderland look to try and tie down their new boss as soon as they can.

BetVictor’s Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt said:  “The race to replace Chris Coleman looks an intriguing one and there are three candidates that have caught the betting public’s imagination. Former Ipswich gaffer Mick McCarthy opened as our 3/1 favourite and after been backed as short as 2/5 he eased to 8/1 but is currently 4/1 third best and we have seem more bets for him than anyone else.

“However, the shrewd money has now come for Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and Leicester assistant Michael Appleton. Wilder has had great success lower down the pyramid and although the Blades fell short this term he has been supported from 12/1 into 5/4 favourite and is currently our worst result. Appleton is 7/4 after been laid at a high of 16/1 and seems to be a popular choice with fans at the North East club.

“Paul Cook is another who has done well in the lower reaches of the football league and at 8/1 he certainly has his supporters. Its 14/1 bar the big four and we expect this market to take many more twists n turns before its conclusion.”