AN EXPECTANT Mick McCarthy is looking for Stephen Elliott to fire Sunderland towards the top-flight this weekend, after claiming that the striker's recent rest has left him refreshed and raring to go.

Elliott was the Black Cats' leading scorer in the first half of the season, with his nine pre-Christmas goals helping to counter a stuttering start to the campaign.

But, while the goals haven't exactly dried up since then - five successes since the turn of the year represents a solid, if unspectacular, return - Elliott's all-round play has lost some of its early sparkle.

The Republic of Ireland international has even found himself dropped to the bench in recent weeks, with McCarthy preferring Chris Brown's physical presence to his guile and pace.

Elliott's last start came in the 3-1 win at QPR but, with Sunderland just three points from promotion should Ipswich slip up at Leeds, the 20-year-old is expected to partner Marcus Stewart when Leicester visit the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

And, after admitting that the youngster was showing signs of tiredness following his hectic introduction to life in the Championship, McCarthy is confident he is now back to his best.

"I think the rest will have done him good," said the Black Cats boss. "He has played a lot of football given what he was used to as a reserve-team player at Manchester City.

"When you play reserve-team football, you play far less games than we do in the Championship.

"Add in the cup games, and consider the intensity which these games are played at and what's at stake, and it takes its toll on young players coming into the squad.

"I think he needed a break. He certainly looked fresh and sharp when he came on at Ipswich."

While McCarthy is expected to make major alterations to his squad should Sunderland clinch promotion, Elliott is likely to be a key figure in the club's attempts to survive in the Premiership.

The youngster was an untried novice when he was plucked from the City of Manchester Stadium in the summer but, after gradually growing in confidence, he is already displaying the assurance expected of a top-flight marskman.

"He has done a fantastic job," admitted McCarthy. "He has been a breath of fresh air as well at times.

"Look at some of the goals he has scored - especially the two he scored against Wolves, they spring to mind immediately.

"That's something you can't really coach - to control the ball in one move and swivel and smash it in the corner, or to come in on the inside and bend it in.

"His ability is great and he still has a freshness in his approach to the game. He will try different things."

Ironically, Elliott might not have left Manchester had David Connolly moved to Sunderland, rather than joining tomorrow's opponents, Leicester.

Connolly was McCarthy's main transfer target last summer and, after severing his ties with West Ham, the Irish international was expected to join up with the rest of the Sunderland squad when they returned from their pre-season tour of the United States.

He joined Leicester instead though and, while the Foxes have plummeted this season, Elliott has helped take the Black Cats to the brink of the Premiership.

"I managed David for six or seven years with the Republic of Ireland," said McCarthy. "I think he's an excellent player and he's somebody that I still like as a guy.

"I know all about him and I know he'll pose a few problems this weekend. There will be no surprises on that score, so we'll have to be ready to deal with him."

McCarthy should be able to call upon the services of Thomas Myhre tomorrow, with the Norwegian goalkeeper winning his battle against a side strain.

Gary Breen and George McCartney are also expected to shake off the minor problems they sustained against Ipswich.

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