MICK McCarthy believes Jonathan Stead can take inspiration from Stephen Caldwell and win a place back in his starting line-up.

The Sunderland boss revealed Caldwell has been smarting ever since he was axed from the Black Cats' opening day defeat by Charlton in favour of new boy Alan Stubbs.

But instead of feeling sorry for himself the Scottish international centre half got his head down and worked hard behind the scenes waiting for another opportunity to impress.

An injury to Stubbs opened the door for the 25-year-old defender and he responded in fine fashion with a towering performance against North-East rivals Middlesbrough last Sunday.

McCarthy looks likely to reward his patient centre half for his impressive display with another start alongside his skipper Gary Breen for the visit of West Ham to the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Similarly, Stead began the new campaign as McCarthy's first choice striker, but now he finds himself on the sidelines after failing to find the target for his new club since a £1.8m summer move from Blackburn Rovers.

"I'm looking for goals from all of my strikers," said McCarthy, who is looking to build on his team's first away victory last weekend with a first triumph on home territory.

"We didn't get any on Sunday. I've been looking for a partnership and I think Andy Gray and Stephen Elliott were excellent.

Jon has come in and not scored his goals, and he's been unfortunate a couple of times.

"But he's got to be ready, willing and able when he comes off the bench to play well - as has anyone else who has had their nose put out of joint.

"If anyone needs any indication of the reaction you need they should look no further than Steve Caldwell. I hope Stead's nose is out of joint at not being in the team. I expect a reaction. Steve Caldwell epitomises what I expect.

"Caldwell wasn't a happy camper. We had a chat - it's all well and good not being happy but we've all got to be pulling in the right direction whether you're in the team or not.

"I expect the same reaction whether it is Jon Stead, Andy Welsh, Liam Lawrence or Carl Robinson, who were regulars last season.

"He's my record signing and he hasn't got a goal yet but neither has Stephen Elliott. Andy Gray only has one and Antony (Le Tallec) has two."

Despite the misfiring striker shooting blanks, the Sunderland boss has backed his new charge to bounce back.

McCarthy saw Stead score for the reserves during the week and admitted he was impressed by his performance.

He also added that he has been encouraged by Stead's recent attitude to being left out the first team picture and that of fellow striker Andy Gray.

"Stead scored in the reserves the other night," said McCarthy. "He's a good player, a good character. I speak to a lot of people about the players I sign and it was no different with him.

"Andy Gray was signed with a view that the others could play off him. Jon Stead, despite his size, is not the archetypal target man you can bounce things off.

"Stead could benefit from playing alongside Gray as he occupies the centre-backs; likewise Le Tallec. He's done it against us and impressed before. He never gives centre-backs an easy time."

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