• Ainsworth has been in charge at Wycombe for seven years• Former QPR midfielder, 46, favourite to succeed Jack Ross
Sunderland have been granted permission by Wycombe Wanderers to speak to Gareth Ainsworth about filling their managerial vacancy.
Ainsworth is understood to be one of several shortlisted targets. Sunderland’s request to talk to the Coventry manager Mark Robins, who has since signed a new contract, was rejected by their League One rivals on Wednesday, and the former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel and Wigan manager Paul Cook are also believed to be of interest.