EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland back Sbragia but line up helping hand to beat drop

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is to stand by embattled manager Ricky Sbragia despite rumours Alan Curbishley is to be drafted in, Sportsmail can reveal. A source close to the Black Cats chief says he is determined to give Sbragia every chance, but accepts there may be a need to make changes if results do not improve. Sunderland sit one place and two points above the relegation zone with six games to play. The source said: 'Of course Niall is concerned about the position the team finds themselves in but he was heartened by the performance against Manchester United (a narrow 2-1 defeat on Saturday). 'But his patience will only stretch so far. He will be forced to consider Sbragia's position if they lose to Hull on Saturday.' One possibility is that a more experienced manager will be brought in to work alongside Sbragia, 52, who was a respected coach before taking the reigns from Roy Keane in December.

Source: Daily_Mail