KEVIN Ball has enlisted the services of fitness guru Steve Black to improve the all-round physical condition of his under-performing Sunderland players and put the smile back on their faces.

Black has an impressive coaching pedigree and some of the world's biggest stars have sought his personal help in their quest for glory.

Aside from training Newcastle Falcons and the Wales rugby union team, Black can also claim to have mentored Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Gascoigne, Glenn McCrory, Jonathan Edwards and even actor Jimmy Nail.

Sunderland's caretaker manager revealed he came across the well-respected coach during his playing days under Peter Reid more than ten years ago.

Ball believes Sunderland can only benefit from Black's expertise as the Wearsiders try to salvage some pride from the last eight games of a wretched Premier League season.

He says Black's personality on the training ground will inject a positive response in the club's dressing room.

"He's worked with me at Sunderland and Fulham and Blackie is here for a multitude of things," revealed the stand-in chief.

"His background is fitness conditioning. He does managerial consultancy, motivational techniques and he's got an array of talents within him. Any of those we feel we can utilise, we'll do it.

"If it's putting a smile on people's faces or whatever, he'll be anything we want.

"He'll have a look, he'll see things, and then speak to me about the right way forward.

"He's one of the most sincere, honest and hard-working people I know, but he also has a lighter side.

"The thing I admire about him is when serious work needs to be done he'll do it and then when the time's right to have a laugh and a joke, he's probably the biggest joker going.

"But he has got a very serious, very professional side and he switches that when the time is right.

"He's held in high esteem in the world of sports. The players have had a battering and they could do with someone different to talk to. In terms of that side of things Blackie is highly qualified and motivated."

Ball's decision to employ Black may be deemed a controversial one by Sunderland supporters given the fitness expert is a self-confessed Newcastle United follower.

Fans are planning mass demonstrations at Saturday's home fixture against Blackburn at the Stadium of Light and comments made by Black two years ago could return to haunt him.

Black, who worked at Newcastle under Kevin Keegan and also trained Sunderland at the time, said in a Guardian interview: "The teams were in different divisions so there was no conflict of interest.

"I used to take the two sets of players together at various times. The fans would have gone mad had they known."

Ball admitted he understands how the fans are feeling but made an impassioned appeal for them to get behind the club tomorrow.

He said: "I've been a supporter and player for 16 years and have experienced every emotion they have. We've a great club and we'll come back.

"I say to the fans 'keep backing us and thanks for your support'. If they want to plan more protests I can't disagree with that. I understand the situation but they need to get behind the club.

"It was disappointing to hear the chants so early in the Wigan game after four or five minutes and it has a detrimental effect. Fans should leave it until afterwards."

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