MICK McCARTHY has urged Sunderland fringe men to make the most of John Oster's up-coming spell on the sidelines.

The talented right winger, who grabbed the Black Cats' final goal in last night's 3-1 win at Gillingham, will miss the next three matches through suspension.

McCarthy has been delighted with the Welshman's contribution this season, but he now wants one of his stars to capitalise on Oster's unavailability.

The Sunderland boss said: "We will miss him. I have been giving John some friendly stick in the dressing room because we will now be without him for the next three matches. But it is up to someone now to come in and do a job.

"He is a very talented player and he can unlock doors. He may not be a workhorse but we have got to love him for what he is."

Loan capture Stewart Downing was another to find the net at the Priestfield Stadium, when he volleyed in the equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

It was only Downing's second senior goal and the Middlesbrough teenager has won over many Sunderland supporters with two dazzling displays.

The winger is on loan at the Stadium of Light for a month initially, and McCarthy is grateful to have him for that spell, he said: "He has played well again. I have watched him several times for Middlesbrough reserves and he has played better for us in these games.

"It's premature to say whether he will be coming here or he won't; permanently or for a longer loan spell. We have him on a month's loan and he is doing well at the moment. He has terrific pace and a great left foot."

McCarthy refused to be drawn on the club's financial situation - following yesterday's announcements of massive debts.

He said: "I will speak for the team. We have had a terrific performance and a great result. The players and I have not had a tough day at all.

"I have just watched my team win comprehensively away from home. You just get on with things."

* Former Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson has insisted he is not to blame for the club's financial nightmare.

Wilkinson, whose appointment has been described by plc chairman Bryan Sanderson as ''a mistake'', insisted he could not carry the can for the cash crisis which has engulfed the Stadium of Light.

He said: ''It (the appointment of Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill) must have been a mistake because they got rid of us after five months. Question - who made the mistake?

''If he (Sanderson) has said what he is supposed to have said then it is a joke.

"If he thinks five months is long enough to turn the football club around then I'd have to question his right to be chairman.

''He has been in charge during the whole of the sorry demise. A football club is not run by a manager alone. The plc now has a massive say in policy and how the money is spent.'

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