Ball not put off management

The crushing derby defeat by rivals Newcastle on Monday has not diminished Kevin Ball’s quest to land the Sunderland manager’s job on a permanent basis.

The former Black Cats captain was handed the role of caretaker boss until the end of the season after the dismissal of Mick McCarthy and has made no secret of the fact he wants the job long term.

Relegation from the Premiership was officially confirmed after a spirited goalless draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, enhancing his prospects.

However, the heaviest derby defeat for half a century will live long in the memories of disillusioned supporters.

Ball remains adamant the crushing second-half collapse that scuppered high hopes of a first home win of the season has not shattered his belief and confidence in management.

“In the period of time I have been in charge I have experienced some fantastic things,” he said.

“Even from Monday I have got to say despite how much it hurt, it was still a great experience.

“For 60 minutes I was bloody loving it, the same against Manchester United, and while it remains to be seen what is going to happen, from my own point of view I have enjoyed the experience. I would love it to go on, but that’s not for me to say.

“I’ve really enjoyed taking this caretaker role at the club and I’ve never hidden the fact that one day I would love to manage this club.

“I will deal with it when it arises at the end of the season. There’s no time scale for a decision to be made, as far as I am aware. The future can take care of itself.

“In terms of the result on Monday I can’t believe what happened, but it has and it makes you stronger. Do you go away from that and crumble or do you go home thinking: 'I have more resolve to say I want to do this job?' Anybody who knows me knows which answer that will be.”

Ball is not expected to make sweeping changes for the visit to his former club Portsmouth tomorrow but Julio Arca is set to return to the starting line-up after making his comeback from a hamstring injury in the second half of the derby loss.

Kevin Kyle is also pushing for a place in attack after scoring twice for the reserves in midweek but Rory Delap is out for the rest of the season after an operation on a broken nose.