Mick McCarthy has emerged as the man most likely to succeed Peter Reid as Sunderland manager, according to newspaper reports.

The Republic of Ireland boss is believed to top the Black Cats' shortlist, having ousted David O'Leary as favourite for the job.

Sunderland are said to be wary of former Leeds boss O'Leary due to the controversial autobiography he published while in charge at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, McCarthy's failure to confirm or deny whether he would be interested in the position has been interpreted as a green light for a Sunderland approach.

The former Millwall boss said: "I'm flattered that my name has been mentioned as one of those who might take over at the Stadium of Light.

"Maybe that's the price of success, being linked with a country that has moved from 54th to 13th in the Fifa world rankings and then a good World Cup last summer."

His odds were slashed from 16-1 to 3-1 on Tuesday evening after the ghost-writer of his autobiography, Cathal Dervan, wrote an article in the London Evening Standard indicating that McCarthy would be very interested in the position.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Spurs boss George Graham has definitely ruled himself out of contention for the job.

His agent, Steve Kutner, moved to end speculation that the 57-year-old could be on his way to the north east.

"This is not the right opportunity for George at the moment," said Kutner.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace is confident Baggies boss Gary Megson will not be tempted to take over the Black Cats hot-seat.

Megson, who guided the Baggies to the Premiership, has developed a reputation as manager who can succeed on a tight budget.

"I know for a fact that Gary is happy with what we have achieved at this club to date and he is excited about the future," Peace told the Birmingham Evening Mail newspaper.

Sunderland want to have a new manager in place by the time the club play West Ham on 19 October.