Kevin Ball will send Sunderland into battle with Manchester United on Saturday after having his spell as interim head coach extended.

The 48-year-old, who was asked to take the reins for the Capital One Cup win over Peterborough and Sunday's 3-1 Premier League defeat by Liverpool, will continue in the role as Sunderland run the rule over replacements for Paolo Di Canio.

The club revealed the decision on their website on Monday, eight days on from Di Canio's sacking. The confirmation, which was not unexpected, came as John O'Shea told his team-mates to draw a line under the catastrophic breakdown of their relationship with the Italian and dig themselves out of trouble.

Sunderland remain rooted to the foot of the table after taking only a single point from their first six games and O'Shea, while confirming that the dressing room had played a part in the 45-year-old's exit, has insisted the players must regroup to prevent the club from being cast adrift.

The captain told the Sunderland Echo: "That was obviously done but we have to move on. Because of the position we are in, we can't keep going back to it. We have got some difficult months ahead.

"Whoever comes in, whether it's Bally [interim head coach Kevin Ball] or a new manager, we have got tough times ahead. We have to stick together and if we keep going back to it, it will soon be too hard to pull back."

Sunderland turned in a much-improved display against Liverpool but came out of it empty-handed and, with United due to arrive on Wearside at the weekend intent on addressing their own losing streak, things could get worse before they get better.

The club are continuing to evaluate a series of candidates for the vacancy, with Gus Poyet, René Meulensteen and Ball, who has indicated his interest in filling the role on a permanent basis, figuring prominently in the betting.

The chief executive Margaret Byrne has revealed that discussions with several contenders have taken place and talks with others will be held this week.

If Sunderland opt to appoint Ball, the decision would go down well with the players. O'Shea said: "Without a doubt, he's made an impact. If it does happen, the players would be very happy."