The Northern Irishman has been in talks with Black Cats chairman Ellis Short since Thursday evening.
He is expected to be confirmed as Steve Bruce's successor later today.
Bruce's former assistant Eric Black is likely to take charge of Sunday's Premier League game at Wolves.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 30 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 28 |
| 3 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 26 |
| 4 | Burnley | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 24 |
| 5 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 22 |
| 6 | Millwall | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 22 |
| 7 | Watford | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 21 |
| 9 | Swansea CitySwansea | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 19 |
| 10 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 19 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 19 |
| 12 | Norwich CityNorwich | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 18 |
| 13 | Derby CountyDerby | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 14 | Stoke CityStoke | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 18 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 18 |
| 16 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 15 |
| 18 | Hull City | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 15 |
| 19 | Luton TownLuton | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 15 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 15 |
| 22 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 15 |
| 23 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 14 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 10 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 27 | -14 | 9 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
