The Scot is expected to be in charge for Saturday's Barclays 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 former coach has taken on the responsibility and created a unity both 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.

"Roy Keane did that as well - we won't forget where Roy Keane brought us. He brought us up into the Premier League, and we won't forget that.

"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 - while Gerard Houllier has joined the list of men to have ruled themselves out of the race, publicly at least.

But it is perhaps significant that even Allardyce, who has made no secret of his interest, has revealed that he has not been contacted by the Black Cats.

The former Bolton and Newcastle manager was close to being appointed before Keane got the job in the summer of 2006, and Quinn's insistence over the weekend that a candidate's background is of little significance seemed to point to the 54-year-old at least having a chance this time around.

It is understood a list of top targets is close to being completed and that some may be more readily available than others, but as long as Sbragia keeps the ship on course the need to make a swift appointment will recede.