MICK McCarthy is hot favourite to be 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 is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday morning 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.