Championship news: Wigan Athletic boss named favourite for West Brom job ahead of Sunderland game

Former Sunderland and Newcastle United boss Bruce was been sacked by West Brom after eight months in charge at the Hawthorns earlier this week.

The Baggies have won just one of their 13 Championship games this season and are 21st in the table following a goalless draw with Luton last weekend

Bruce’s backroom team consisting of former Sunderland man Steve Agnew plus Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left the club.

However, Wigan boss Richardson is now the firm favourite to take the West Brom job with BetVictor offering odds of just 2/1 on the switch.

The Latics and Black Cats are set to square off at the Stadium of Light this coming Saturday in the Championship as Tony Mowbray’s side looks for a first win in five games.

The Black Cats haven’t tasted victory since Reading away on September 14, following that result up with draws against Watford, Blackpool and Preston plus a defeat to Swansea City last weekend.

If the bookies’ odds are accurate, though, Wigan could well face Sunderland without a manager should an approach be forthcoming and then accepted from West Brom to Richardson.

Wigan have also suffered an injury blow coming into the game with goalkeeper Jamie Jones facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a freak injury on the training ground.

Jones, who is the club’s captain, has missed Wigan’s last two games with Richardson admitting that it could be some time before he is able to return.