DARREN WILLIAMS confessed his "guilt" last night and admitted he was partly responsible for up to 83 people losing their jobs.

The defender has been left reeling by Sunderland's relegation and the subsequent job cuts that could cut the Stadium of Light workforce by 40 per cent.

Williams said: "Personally, there is a feeling of guilt, and I would imagine the other lads feel the same.

"People are going to be out of work because we are coming out of the Premier League.

"We're sorry and gutted that people are going to lose their jobs because of the situation we are in. There is a lot to take in at the moment.

"It's our performances that have got the club into this situation. We haven't played as well as we know we can, and we've got to take responsibility for the position that the club is in.

"Everyone is gutted - from the people who work in the ticket office to the groundsman and also the players.

"We're devastated and we have just got to get on with the rest of the season.

"It's difficult to come into training and be at your best; it's difficult trying to enjoy it.

"Your thoughts are always on the disappointment of what has happened this season.

"But we've got five games left, and hopefully we can still give the fans and the people at the club something to cheer about."

Marcus Stewart will definitely be in Sunderland's starting line-up against West Bromwich Albion tomorrow, despite his sending off against Birmingham City.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said: "I'm not dropping Marcus; he'll be in the team on Saturday.

"What happened at Birmingham was a complete rush of blood and it's not what Marcus does; it's not in his game to kick people.

"But he will score goals for me next year. I saw quite a bit of him when he was at Huddersfield, and he really impressed everybody then.

"I thought he was a good signing for Sunderland at the start of the season. He's a goalscorer, and if he gets chances he'll put the ball in the net."

Jody Craddock could return for Sunderland tomorrow after recovering from a thigh strain, while Talal El Karkouri is also fit.

Joachim Bjorklund and Stephen Wright, both of whom have hamstring injuries, will miss the visit of West Brom.

Phil Babb is out with a groin problem, while Paul Thirlwell will return to full training next week after a hernia operation.

But England Under-20 centre-back Ben Clark is likely to be in McCarthy's squad after impressing in the reserves recently.

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