CARETAKER manager Kevin Ball last night urged his shot-shy strikers to "get physical" in an attempt to address Sunderland's chronic lack of goals.

Ball was renowned for his whole-hearted commitment during a playing career that included two Division One titles with the Black Cats.

And, with Sunderland's six recognised strikers having scored just seven goals between them all season, he has urged the likes of Jon Stead, Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliott to follow his lead in the final nine games of the season.

Citing Stead's late miss in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Wigan as an example - the former Blackburn forward bundled the ball wide from close range under pressure from Pascal Chimbonda - Ball is urging his strikers to be more ruthless in their pursuit of goals.

Understandably, he is reluctant to pile more pressure on a strikeforce that has struggled to adapt to life in the Premiership.

But, without wishing to single out Stead for special criticism, he has warned his strikers they cannot survive without developing a nasty streak.

With this afternoon's opponents Bolton hardly known for an uncommitted approach, it is a lesson they would be wise to learn sooner rather than later.

"People haven't been taking their chances," admitted Ball, who remains one of the favourites to replace former manager, Mick McCarthy, on a permanent basis. "But sometimes, the more emphasis you put on it, the more uptight the forwards are going to be.

"We know what needs to be done and it will happen. But I don't want to put too much pressure on it.

"Scoring goals is not just about the forwards - it's a collective thing - but they're obviously the ones who are judged on goals.

"It's difficult for me to comment on everything that's gone before and it would be unfair for me to talk about what's happened with someone like Jon earlier this season.

"I only took over last week, but he came on last weekend and I thought he was unlucky.

"I've spoken to him about everything that happened and maybe he could have done a few things differently.

"Sometimes you have to be more physical. If he's in that position (for his last-minute miss) again, I'd like to see him put both the player and the ball into the back of the net. Sometimes, you have to be that ruthless."

Ball has already revealed his ruthless streak by dropping skipper Gary Breen and handing the captain's armband to Stephen Caldwell.

Caldwell had fallen out of favour under McCarthy but, with Breen suspended, the Scotsman was restored to the side ahead of last weekend's defeat.

He will retain his role at the Reebok Stadium after his leadership skills impressed Ball and, despite the likes of Danny Collins and Grant Leadbitter lacking experience at the highest level, the Black Cats boss expects each and every player to follow their captain's example.

Already, it seems, the formerly fist-pumping midfielder is attempting to mould a team in his own image.

"There are leaders out there," claimed Ball. "But they have to come to the fore more. Football is a team game but, within that team, you still need individuals to stand up to be counted.

"The captain isn't the only person who needs to lead by example. Everybody, in whichever way they want, can do that.

"You can lead by your actions offensively or defensively, you can lead verbally or by ability alone, but in some way you have to stand up to be counted.

"People have to express themselves in any which way they can. You can encourage people verbally or you can do it technically, through a flash of skill. Either way, it's important we all show the qualities expected of a leader."

In many ways, this afternoon's opponents would appear to be the apogee of Ball's vision for his Sunderland side.

Tough in the tackle and strong in the air, Sam Allardyce's Bolton would seem to be a template for the committed, high-octane approach he would like to adopt on Wearside.

But, while Ball admires Allardyce's vehement defence of his tactics in the face of persistent accusations of "ugly football", he feels the Trotters boss, who made 27 playing appearances for Sunderland, would be as wise to highlight the ball-playing talent currently at his disposal.

With the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Stelios Giannakopoulos and Ricardo Vaz Te likely to be in the opposition ranks later today, Ball feels it would be wrong to label Bolton a one-dimensional outfit.

"They're a very high tempo, high intensity team," he said. "They're also very physical and we'll certainly have to match that. I've no doubt that Sam will have something up his sleeve.

"I disagree with everyone who's doing Bolton down - I think they're a good side. They play to their strengths, but they've got some tremendous individual players as well. They are a very good team and this will be a very difficult game for us."

Sunderland have their own individual match-winners as well, of course, but one of their leading lights, Argentinian midfielder Julio Arca, is almost certain to miss out this afternoon.

Arca sustained a hamstring injury in last weekend's defeat and, while he will be given every chance to prove his fitness this morning, he is unlikely to feature at the Reebok.

His place on the left of midfield is likely to be taken by Rory Delap, with Liam Lawrence slotting in on the opposite flank, although George McCartney could push forward enabling the recently recalled Dan Smith to make only his third senior start for the club at left back after being recalled from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town.

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