Sunderland's players in the dark over new manager

Phil Parkinson’s dismissal on Sunday evening has created a managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light, with the Sunderland hierarchy keen to have a new boss in place by the time Wigan Athletic travel to Wearside on Saturday afternoon.

Gus Poyet had been a strong favourite for the post, but the Uruguayan distanced himself from the position on Tuesday evening, with sources close to the former Sunderland boss claiming he was extremely reluctant to drop into League One.

Danny Cowley, who won two promotions with Lincoln City, and Paul Cook, who led Wigan Athletic out of League One, are now regarded as the leading candidates, although Sunderland’s owners are understood to have received expressions of interest from a number of different quarters in the last two days.

There have been approaches from both England and abroad that were not anticipated, and that could potentially change the course of the shortlisting and interviewing process.

Wright has no idea who will be in charge for the remainder of the season, and while he and his team-mates will be focusing their attention on the training ground this week, under the caretaker charge of Andrew Taylor, the centre-half admits it is impossible to ignore the speculation over the possible identity of the Black Cats’ new boss.

“You don’t ignore it, of course you don’t,” said Wright, who was part of the side that drew 1-1 with Burton in Taylor’s first game in caretaker charge on Tuesday night. “At the end of the day, you’re going to have a new boss who comes in and, like everyone, you’re curious to see what decisions are made.

“But nothing changes, we’re here to do a job. Who comes in is above us, it’s not our control, but I’m sure the right decisions will be made. Who does come in will be inheriting a good group, a hard-working and honest group that’s prepared for the challenge. We've just got to control the controllables and let the rest sort itself.”