MICK McCarthy has been handed the task of saving Sunderland's Premiership skin, starting with Saturday's high-pressure relegation battle with Wanderers at the Stadium of Light writes Gordon Sharrock

The appointment of the former Republic of Ireland manager was confirmed at 10am on Wednesday following the departure of Howard Wilkinson, who has been sacked just five months and 20 games after replacing Peter Reid.

McCarthy, who resigned from the Republic job in November, will need to work a miracle if Sunderland - bottom of the Premiership with just 19 points - are to beat the drop.

However, with a further 27 up for grabs, McCarthy will be encouraged to know that four of his new team's next five matches are against fellow strugglers - Wanderers, West Ham, Birmingham and West Brom.

McCarthy, who will appoint his former Republic assistant Ian Evans as his deputy, will look to make the most of the Irish connection at the club.

Jason McAteer and Kevin Kilbane played for him at last summer's World Cup finals and Phil Babb also featured in some of his squads.

Sunderland also have a large number of Irish youngsters, including Thomas Butler and Sean Thornton, who have broken into the first team, plus the promising Cliff Byrne and Richie Ryan.

There is also the prospect of McCarthy persuading former Republic striker Niall Quinn, one of Sunderland's favourite sons, to return in a coaching capacity.

Wanderers will be wary that the "new manager" syndrome could boost morale in the home dressing room for a game that is crucial to both clubs' Premiership fortunes.

Sunderland, are desperate for a victory that would give their disillusioned supporters a glimmer of hope that survival is not a lost cause while Wanderers, with just one win in 10 Premiership games and ahead of third-bottom West Ham on just goal difference, need a victory to keep their head above the relegation waters.

McCarthy has signed a rolling contract which will enable him to rebuild a successful side over the longer term.

A skilful man-motivator, McCarthy has brought the same determination and confidence from his playing days to his managerial career.

He said: "I'm excited to be joining Sunderland and am up for the challenge ahead. In the short term we have nine remaining games this season and, of course, I will be concentrating on lifting the players to get the best possible results in these.

"I'm also excited about the long-term. This is a great club and it deserves success."

Welcoming McCarthy to Sunderland, vice-chairman John Fickling said: "It has been a difficult period for the club and its supporters but we're delighted to have secured the services of Mick McCarthy who is well respected in the world of football.

"We have made this change now because we feel it is in the best interests of the club and its supporters. It was important that we acted swiftly to secure the services of a manager who would undoubtedly have been pursued by several clubs during the summer months and by appointing Mick now, we are giving him the opportunity to get to know the players and the club and form a long-term development strategy for the summer and beyond.

"This decision is not about the last nine games or our Premiership survival - although this is important. It has been taken for the long term.

"We believe that today's appointment will be a crucial turning point and that Mick will halt the club's decline and revive our fortunes on the pitch. I hope all supporters will join me in welcoming Mick to Sunderland and get behind him and the team."