The Sunderland boss was thrust into the hotseat, initially on a caretaker basis, after Roy Keane sensationally resigned in the wake of a 4-1 home defeat by Bolton on December 29.

A last-gasp defeat at Manchester United in his first game in charge was followed by comprehensive victories over West Brom and Hull and a 0-0 draw with Blackburn which persuaded chairman Niall Quinn he was the man for the job on a permanent basis.

But a little more than four months on, Sbragia will lead his side back into battle with Bolton knowing defeat could leave his club in severe danger of slipping out of the top flight.

Asked if he could have imagined being in such a situation back in January, Sbragia said: "No, not at all.

"We kicked on and I had the feeling we would get some sort of response from them. But we have been disappointing over the last nine games now.

"I have been really disappointed. I hope we don't think we are safe - I have always thought we have never been safe, to be truthful.

"We haven't had a really great team performance, and it is a concern."

Sunderland's plight - they are currently four points clear of the drop zone - is the result of a run of results which has seen them win just once in their last 10 league games and take only five points in the process.

The alarm bells really started ringing when they went to seemingly doomed West Brom on April 25 and returned on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline, and there was no respite as they succumbed tamely to Everton at the Stadium of Light last Sunday.

Sbragia said: "It's been frustrating for the last 10 weeks.

"We have always had the chance to do something, we have not quite managed that and that has been the really disappointing thing about it.

"I always think it is in our hands, but we haven't taken it and we need to take it soon because we could get caught."

Sbragia has had to contend with constant speculation that the club is lining up a replacement for him in recent weeks, with Steve McClaren and Louis van Gaal among those who have been linked with his job.

Quinn, who is hoping American investor Ellis Short will push through plans to assume full control of the club during the summer, providing the Black Cats remain in the Premier League, has remained steadfast in his support for his manager.

However, both men are fully aware of what is at stake.

Sbragia said: "I spoke to Niall on Sunday night and I spoke to him on Monday. He is disappointed, like we all are, but he has been in today and he will be in tomorrow.

"He has to be positive as much as us. It can't be doom and gloom all the time - if we reflect that to the players, it is going to be a massive problem."

That said, Sbragia admits keeping his own spirits up can be a challenge.

He said: "It's difficult, it's hard. (But) I am very positive, I know we will stay up, I believe that, I totally believe it.

"After Sunday, I was a bit down on the Monday, but we have to close it up and get on with it."

Midfielder Teemu Tainio could return from a knee problem at Bolton, but full-back George McCartney is expected to miss out as he steps up his recovery from a calf injury.