MICK McCARTHY says he will welcome former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill with a hand-shake before the game and a bottle of beer after it - but insists that is all he is getting.

Cotterill and Howard Wilkinson's reign on Wearside has been well documented.

The pair were thought to be saviours of Sunderland's 2002/2003 Premiership season after Peter Reid's seven-year reign came to a bitter end.

But, after only two wins in 20 games, their ill-fated five-month spell turned sour and they quickly followed Reid out of the door.

After a year out of the game, Cotterill has picked up the pieces of his reputation at Burnley and returns to the Stadium of Light this afternoon for the first time since he was dismissed 20 months ago.

The 40-year-old took over from Stan Ternent in June after a disappointing 2003/04 campaign saw Burnley finish fifth from bottom. They currently lie 11th in the Championship, only three points away from a play-off place after winning four out of their last five games.

McCarthy revealed that Cotterill was one of the first people on the phone offering his congratulations after the former Republic of Ireland boss was installed in to the Sunderland hot-seat.

"I got a best-wishes call when I got this job," said McCarthy. "He left the club which had nothing to do with me, but he was one of the first to phone, even before I met the press. The phone rang, and he wanted to speak to me and he wished me well.

"He'll get his handshake and his beer after the game, whatever the result, just like everyone else."

The Sunderland boss felt it was unfair of him to comment on Wilkinson and Cotterill's time in charge at the Stadium of Light as there were several factors which contributed to the pair's failure to keep the side in the Premiership.

He said: "You can't just put it down to them. I might have come in when Howard came in, and I might have gone, who knows what could have happened?

"So it is unfair, and not for me to comment on their time here.

"Steve had a good record before he came here so it is no surprise he has done really well at Burnley.

"They are very well organised and hard-working with a great team spirit. You don't do what they're doing with the small squad they've got if you don't have that."

McCarthy is in no doubt Burnley will provide a stern test and they won't underestimate a side, which includes the much vaunted and free-scoring Robbie Blake. He has scored his side's last four goals and 13 this season.

"They play 4-5-1 and they'll have Blake up front trying to do some damage on his own, holding the ball up and getting runners behind him and beyond us," observed McCarthy.

"I'd like to think they were worried about us and I'm sure they will be, and yes, we will have one eye on Robbie Blake, but that is not going to be the be-all and end-all.

"Robbie Blake is a very good player and that is why, reportedly, Wigan have offered £700,000 for him. He'll be coveted by most teams in the Championship and perhaps some even in the Premiership.''

l Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has revealed winger John Oster has been punished by the club following his arrest in the early hours of Thursday morning on suspicion of assault.

Oster was questioned by police following an incident outside a Durham nightclub but was later released without charge, although given a formal caution.

The 26-year-old Wales international, currently on loan with Leeds from Championship rivals Sunderland, has been retained by Blackwell, but not without a severe reprimand.

It is likely Oster has been fined the maximum two weeks wages, with Blackwell saying: ''We talked to John and found out the facts.

''We told him that at Leeds United we cannot accept what he did. We have been down that road before as a club and we didn't want to go down it again.

''The police threw it out, so there's nothing pending. It was just a question of us having a chat with him and reminding him of his responsibilities.

''He has been dealt with and punished by the club and that's it. End of story.''

Blackwell is hoping the club's board can reach common ground with goalkeeper Scott Carson after the England Under-21 international yesterday rejected the offer of a new two-year contract.

Carson, whose present agreement expires in the summer, now looks certain to leave Elland Road, believing the club are wanting to sell him.

Carson's representative said: ''Scott is bitterly disappointed with the offer and we are a very long way apart. He feels the club's desire is to sell him rather than keep him.''

Wigan could decide to firm up their initial interest, although Liverpool and Arsenal are rumoured to have been monitoring the situation and may make a move in the January transfer window. Alternatively, Carson could leave in the summer at the end of his contract, with Leeds only receiving a compensation figure from any new club as he is under 24.

Blackwell would like to see more done as he said: ''I am disappointed. The board will have to see if there's anything they can do.

Blackwell has doubts over five players ahead of tomorrow's home game with Millwall, with Clarke Carlisle, Frazer Richardson (both ankle) unlikely to play, although David Healy (groin), Matthew Kilgallon (ankle) and Jermaine Wright (illness) should be available