SUNDERLAND will not be appointing Alan Curbishley as an interim manager – no matter what happens in Saturday’s crunch relegation clash with Hull City.

It was reported that Curbishley is being lined up as an experienced alternative to current boss Ricky Sbragia as the Black Cats battle to avoid the drop in the final six games of the season.

The former Charlton and West Ham boss, who will be in court on Friday resolving a £1m compensation claim against the Hammers, has been linked with the Stadium of Light in the past and was one of the candidates considered after Roy Keane resigned in December.

But sources close to Niall Quinn have dismissed any possibility of the 51-year-old being drafted in before the end of the season.

Buoyed by Sunderland’s spirited showing in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, and satisfied with Sbragia’s handling of team affairs in recent weeks, Quinn intends to support his current manager despite the Black Cats’ perilous position.

He will then reassess the situation in the close season, with Sbragia likely to be one of a number of options considered as the Sunderland board discuss how best to take the club forward next season.

While an immediate change of manager could have a short-term impact, Quinn is aware of the longterm repercussions of appointing a new boss, and would prefer to take a more measured view in the summer.

C u r b i s h - ley’s name has been m e n t i o n e d with increased regularity in recent weeks, with Friday’s court proceedings representing a pivotal moment in his possible return to management.

Had the Londoner accepted another job while his court case was ongoing, it would almost certainly have affected the level of any pay-out.

That caveat will not apply if a judgement is passed on Friday, and given his successes at both The Valley and Upton Park, Curbishley, left, is likely to be the subject of a number of approaches in the summer.

One of those could yet come from Sunderland as Quinn is a known admirer, and is unlikely to retain Sbragia in his current position beyond the end of the campaign, despite the Scotsman still having another year of his contract to run.

Earlier this season, Quinn hinted that Sbragia’s position would be called into question if the Black Cats “scraped to survival on the final day of the season”.

Such a scenario remains a strong possibility, but barring an unexpected change of heart, a managerial reshuffle will not take place before the end of May.

Sunderland are two points clear of the drop zone with six games to play, but victories in their next two matches – against fellow strugglers Hull and West Brom – would go a long way towards securing the club’s top-flight status.