Niall Quinn is being linked with a return to Sunderland.

The Sunday Mirror says the club's former chairman is on the shortlist to assume the chief executive's role vacated last week by Margaret Byrne.

Quinn, 49, was involved at board level for six years after fronting an Irish consortium which was in control before American billionaire Ellis Short's buy-out.

Quinn's involvement with the Black Cats ended four years ago but his recall would go a long way towards re-engaging with supporters upset at the club's handling of the Adam Johnson affair.