TONY MOWBRAY has discussed Sunderland’s reported interest in Francesco Farioli with the club’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, and continues to insist he is not perturbed by the speculation linking the Italian with the Stadium of Light.

Farioli is currently out of work having recently left Turkish Super League club Alanyaspor and has been linked with a string of clubs including Watford, with reports last week claiming the 34-year-old is being lined up to take charge of Sunderland in the summer.

Mowbray brushed off the speculation when he was asked about it last week in the build-up to his side’s 2-2 draw with Watford, but has subsequently had the opportunity to discuss the situation with Speakman.

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He claims the chat did not take long, and is happy to be focusing his undivided attention on Monday’s play-off decider at Preston rather than worrying about his job security.

Mowbray said: “Kristjaan did come into my office and have a discussion. It was hugely played-down, really.

“I said to you at the time, it's irrelevant to me - it doesn't matter. I wasn't stamping my feet saying, ‘What is going on?’

“I understand football clubs so, yeah, it was irrelevant to me. If I did have a discussion, it was finished in five minutes and pushed under the carpet, and let’s see what the summer brings.”