MICK McCARTHY'S double boost on the defensive front this week has lifted hopes that Sunderland can erase memories of an X-rated display when they last visited Cardiff City.

The red card Steve Caldwell had rescinded on Tuesday means he will be able to continue his partnership at the heart of the Black Cats defence with Gary Breen at Ninian Park this afternoon.

Had Caldwell's dismissal against West Ham stood then he would have been out for today's trip to south Wales as well as the next two matches with Burnley and Leeds.

But the Football Association upheld the club's appeal and Sunderland are relishing the prospect of returning to the ground where they were thumped 4-0 last season with their first choice defensive unit available.

The future of captain Breen was also sorted out this week when he signed a new deal until the summer of 2006 with an extra year's option.

And McCarthy was relieved to secure the services of an experienced international, he has 61 caps for the Republic of Ireland, who has had an enormous influence on Sunderland's climb to third in the Championship table this season.

"It was great news on both counts for both Steve and Gary this week," said McCarthy. "We had been discussing the contract situation with Gary for a while and I'm absolutely delighted that he has extended it because he is a big influence around the place, on and off the pitch.

"His performances on it have been terrific. I gave him most of his caps so I know all about what he can bring to this club. He was an important signing for us.

"I'm also delighted to get Steve's red card rescinded. It helps to know we will have them available on Saturday. As a partnership there are few better.

"I don't want to put pressure on them and say they are the best pairing in the league. That's not up to me. But I know they have grown as a partnership since the start of the season."

Joachim Bjorklund's sending off after just 17 minutes in February handed Sunderland the worst possible start at one of the toughest grounds in Britain to visit.

Graham Kavanagh, Richard Langley, Danny Gabbidon and Alan Lee all grabbed a goal from then on to make the long trip across the border a miserable one for the Wearsiders.

And McCarthy, whose side lost for only the second time in ten games against West Ham a week ago, is eager to see no repeat showing at Cardiff so that they do not lose pace with the top two.

"We had a bad day at Cardiff last season - a bloody awful day. It was a dreadful afternoon all round. I would like to forget that one, erase that and have a better memory coming away this time around," said McCarthy.

"It has been good, we have enjoyed the run we have been on. We want to get back on it now. It was a huge disappointment for us last week."

McCarthy, with his side sitting three points adrift of second placed Ipswich, insists he is happy for his side to play catch up so long as that changes towards the end of the campaign.

"I will settle for being in the top three until the end of April and move into the top two then. It doesn't worry me. Everyone feels better when the club is doing well," said McCarthy, who has an injury doubt over Michael Bridges (Achilles) and has Jeff Whitley ruled out with a hamstring pull.

"Wigan had a couple of defeats in a row but they have come back and slapped their local rivals and scored five. That is an emphatic way to come back.

"After an indifferent start we have had a really good run and, having lost on Saturday, I would like to go back to being unbeaten for a while now. The taste of defeat was bitter. It was a shock to the system, although it was nice that the bitter taste was so bad.

"You certainly get used to winning and you enjoy winning. You never get used to losing but, when it is happening week in, week out, there is not quite so much disappointment. You could see it on the faces of the players last week. The players were very upset by what happened against West Ham."

Meanwhile, Cardiff have made right-back Darren Williams' loan move from Sunderland a permanent switch in time for him to face the Black Cats at Ninian Park today.

The 27-year-old put pen to paper to become a Bluebird after making 13 on-loan Championship appearances for the Welsh outfit.

"It'll be nice to go and play against Sunderland and face the lads I've played alongside for so many years," said Williams, who was Sunderland's longest serving player at the club.