SUNDERLAND boss Howard Wilkinson has been sacked within days of the visit of fellow strugglers Wanderers on Saturday - and Black Cats chairman Bob Murray insists a new boss has already been lined up!writes Chris Sudlow

Wilkinson and his assistant Steve Cotterill, also shown the door, have won two league matches in 20 games as Sunderland slumped to two points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership

Kevin Ball took charge of Sunderland's training session on Tuesday morning. The former Black Cats skipper has been given temporary control until the new manager is officially announced at 10am

Already a number of top former managers including former Mick McCarthy (Ireland), David O'Leary (Leeds United) and George Burley (Ipswich Town) are being put in the frame for the job with McCarthy everybody's favourite.

Saturday's game is a must-win game for both Sunderland and Wanderers, but defeat for the Black Cats would surely condemn them - and their new manager - to the First Division next season.

Revealing the decision to sack Wilkinson and Cotterill, Sunderland's board announced on its website "that it is in the best interests of the club and its supporters to make a change immediately".

Murray added: "The Club and its supporters have faced disappointment over a drawn out period.

"This has been very difficult for everyone concerned but we are absolutely determined to arrest the decline and revive the club.

"We will be appointing a successor before our crucial game against Bolton at the weekend.

"The fans have been incredibly tolerant and supportive in the circumstances and I would like to thank them for that.

"We understand how people are feeling and regret this. We all want to see the team get back to winning ways and putting in the type of performances that will give the fans something to cheer about."