Win bonus in the offing for Sbragia

RICKY SBRAGIA could earn himself an extended reign as caretaker boss at Sunderland if his team keep getting results.

The Scot is expected to be in charge for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Hull, after masterminding the Black Cats’ 4-0 demolition of West Brom at the weekend.

Should they return from the KC Stadium with something to show for their efforts, Sbragia may remain at the helm a little longer as chairman Niall Quinn and his fellow directors close in on their main targets for the job vacated by Roy Keane.

The club’s hierarchy have been delighted with the way Keane’s coach has taken on the responsibility and created a unity on and off the pitch.

Having seen Sbragia reap the rewards of that with a spirited display in a narrow defeat at Manchester United before turning on the style against the Baggies, they are happy the team is in good hands.

Quinn insisted before Saturday’s game that he had not ruled out the former United and Bolton coach as a candidate for the job. He has enhanced his reputation since, and there is a growing feeling on Wearside that he cannot be discounted — despite his admission that he has not even considered it.

Sbragia has replaced Sam Allardyce as 5/2 favourite with bookmakers Ladbrokes — and midfielder Kieran Richardson, who worked with him at United, admits he has done his cause no harm.

Richardson said: “He is doing a great job. He has got the backing of the players; he is getting everyone confident and expressing themselves.

“At the moment, Ricky is in charge. We don’t know how long that will be for — you never know, he might get the job!”

However, Quinn is keeping his cards close to his chest with a frenzy of speculation building over the identity of the names on his list.

The chairman’s admission that he has received more than 30 credible applications has simply served to increase the number of names to emerge from the rumour mill.

The last few days have seen World Cup-winning Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, Poland boss Leo Beenhakker, Roberto Mancini, Frank Rijkaard and Louis van Gaal all linked with the post.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan’s agent Athole Still has insisted there has been no contact with his client.