Barnsley are having to deal with speculation about manager Paul Heckingbottom ahead of their trip to Norwich City on Saturday.

Tykes boss Heckingbottom is being linked with the vacancy at Sunderland, where he played as a trainee but never made it as a first team player.

The 40-year-old’s odds have tumbled to evens with some bookmakers, however PA Sport are reporting that Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain is still pondering a range of options after holding talks with potential candidates in recent days.

Former Preston boss Simon Grayson was sacked minutes after a 3-3 home draw with Bolton on October 31 and the Black Cats sit bottom of the Championship, without a home league win since December 2016.

Heckingbottom – who made 16 appearances for Norwich in 2002/03 – led hometown club Barnsley to promotion via the League One play-offs in 2016 before finishing 14th last season. His side sit 16th before their Canaries clash after two wins on the spin.