DICK ADVOCAAT has revealed he would be prepared to quit Sunderland early if he felt he could not take the club any further forward.

But the experienced Dutchman, who has won league titles and managed at the highest level for decades, remains confident he can keep the Black Cats up this during the remaining year of his contract.

Advocaat, who was persuaded to extend his stay in the summer, was furious with his Sunderland team after the latest defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.  He is now gearing his players up for tomorrow night’s Capital One Cp third round visit of Manchester City to the Stadium of Light.

Having had time to calm down since the return home from the south coast, the Sunderland head coach is satisfied he can lead a revival after dropping back to the foot of the Premier League table with just two points from 18.

He said: “At the end if we don’t get the points I know what the situation is, but the players need more time.

“I am still enjoying it very much so. I know that the match fitness is one of the reasons why it is not as good as we would like. But I am still seeing some parts of the game, how I like to play.

“We just need a little bit more. I have no regrets. Let's be clear, if I feel it is better for somebody else to take over then I will go. Believe me.”

Then asked how far he was from walking away from the job, Advocaat added: “Very far.

“We did not have pre-season with some of the players. Now you can see they are ciimbing a little bit to the level needed but they still have to gel.

“The combination of players still has to be better. I will set up a bit differently against Manchester City. I would like to see what the players who play tomorrow do. I still have a good feeling about this squad. If we get 40 points I think that will be enough.”

Advocaat is planning to make a couple of changes to face City but did suggest he will not be recalling Lee Cattermole or Seb Larsson to his starting line-up.

He also revealed that youngster Duncan Watmore would not be involved, despite impressing for the Under-21s on Sunday after illness.