SUNDERLAND are hoping to hold a formal interview with Derek McInnes in the next 48 hours as their hunt for a new manager steps up a gear.

Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain spent last week assessing his options in the wake of David Moyes’ departure and sounding out potential candidates who might be interested in the role.

Burton’s Nigel Clough and former Leeds boss Garry Monk are regarded as viable contenders – the latter is also on the shortlist for vacancies at Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace – but McInnes remains Sunderland’s preferred option from their initial list of contenders.

Having discussed his options with his trusted advisor, Walter Smith, Bain was happy to put his search on hold in the second half of last week as McInnes prepared to lead Aberdeen into Saturday’s Scottish FA Cup final.

Aberdeen lost at Hampden Park as Celtic’s Tom Rogic scored a stoppage-time winner, and while McInnes remained tight-lipped over his future in the aftermath of the game, claiming it would take an ‘exceptional offer’ to prise him away from Pittodrie, he is understood to be interested in a possible switch to Wearside.

Having guided Aberdeen to second position in the SFL and a runner-up spot in the Scottish FA Cup, McInnes understandably feels he has achieved all he can with the Dons, and sources close to the former Bristol City boss claim he is keen to take on a new challenge.

The Sunderland job interests him, although he would seek some guarantees over the size of his transfer budget and the number of players set to leave Wearside this summer before agreeing to succeed Moyes.

Both parties would be keen on a swift appointment, with Aberdeen set to kick off next season in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in just six weeks’ time. If McInnes is to leave the Dons, he wants his successor to have as much time as possible to prepare for next season. Bain and Ellis Short also accept that time is of the essence, with a huge rebuilding job required as Sunderland look to stabilise in the Championship next season.

Clough performed heroics in the second tier last season, guiding Burton Albion to safety despite the Midlands club having one of the smallest budgets in the division, and his achievements at the Pirelli Stadium have not gone unnoticed.

He is regarded as a strong alternative to McInnes, and could also be approached in person in the next few days.

Neil Warnock was touted as a potential candidate over the weekend, but the Cardiff City boss is not understood to feature prominently on Sunderland’s shortlist at this stage.

While the managerial hunt continues, clubs continue to cast a covetous eye over members of the Black Cats squad that was relegated last season.

Fabio Borini is set to leave in the wake of relegation, with Lazio and AC Milan both having expressed an interest in the striker, who scored just two goals in the whole of last term.

Sunderland will hope to recoup around £8m from selling Borini, the fee they shelled out to Liverpool when they signed him on a four-year deal two summers ago.

Ideally, Borini would like to remain in the Premier League, but with his stock having fallen because of his struggles in a Sunderland shirt, he accepts he might have to return to his homeland to rebuild his career.

Jordan Pickford will have no shortage of suitors this summer, and West Ham are the latest club to have been linked with the England Under-21 international.

The Hammers are desperate to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, and are willing to include Adrian in a deal for Pickford. However, it is far from clear whether 30-year-old Adrian would be willing to drop into the Championship with Sunderland.