WANDERERS' crunch clash at Sunderland on Saturday has been thrown into turmoil after Black Cats boss Howard Wilkinson was sacked - with chairman Bob Murray insisting a new boss will be in place by the weekend writes Chris Sudlow

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

The club'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 said: "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."