Sunderland Football Club

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Paolo Di Canio

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48353

Sbragia tipped for long reign

24 Feb 2009 - 15:19:01

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Chairman Niall Quinn expects Ricky Sbragia to remain manager of Sunderland beyond the end of his current contract.

Sbragia signed an 18-month contract when he replaced Roy Keane in the Stadium of Light hot-seat back in December and Quinn has been delighted by the club's progress under the Scottish coach.

The Black Cats are currently 11th in the Premier League table.

"Everyone is thrilled with the way it's working out," Quinn told the club's official website.

"Ricky has put his own stamp on it, he's working hard and he has a great approach to the job. Results have been good and the team is playing better.

"Ricky has signed a kind of half-way house contract, 18 months, to give him a feel of it, for both sides to be happy with where we are going.

"But I would envisage him being here a lot longer."

Meanwhile, Kenwyne Jones hopes to be fit to face Liverpool next week despite the striker suffering a knee injury in the goalless draw with Arsenal on Saturday.