SUNDERLAND midfielder Dean Whitehead has his sights firmly set on the top two after Friday night's 1-0 win at Leeds took the Black Cats into the play-off places for the first time this season.

West Ham missed the chance to leapfrog Mick McCarthy's side when they slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest yesterday, meaning Sunderland go into tomorrow's game at Sheffield United in fifth spot.

They travel to Bramall Lane on the back of four successive Championship wins, a run that has wiped away the memory of a stuttering start to the campaign.

Confidence is high, with McCarthy's young guns finally starting to fire on all cylinders following an initial bedding in period.

The Black Cats boss always maintained that his summer signings would prove their worth and, with leaders Reading just four points away, his new recruits are repaying their manager's faith.

"We're in the play-off places and we're only looking up," said Whitehead, who left League Two side Oxford to move to the Stadium of Light.

"We've left the bottom half of the table behind and we're where we should be.

"The team is starting to gel and we're recognising each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"It feels good to be moving in the right direction after a sticky start.

"The manager deserves a lot of credit - he was under pressure but he didn't allow us to feel that pressure.

"He kept reminding us we were good players, capable of achieving much more and, for a young squad, that's what we needed to hear.

"Mick told us the results would come and he's been proved right. He's been behind us from the word go and his big strength is in motivating his players.

"He does a great job keeping our morale high when things aren't going so well, but that's not really a problem right now.

"We're playing some great stuff now. If Leeds wasn't our best performance, then it was a brilliant result.

"There are not many Championship teams who will take three points from Elland Road this season. That result will have made a few people sit up and take notice."

Whitehead's own form has followed a similarly upward curve, with the 22-year-old gradually making the right midfield spot his own.

He failed to start any of the first three games of the season, but has been in the starting line-up ever since, hastening Sean Thornton and John Oster's expected exits from the club.

"I saw a lot of the ball against Leeds and I loved every minute of that game," said Whitehead. "There was a big crowd and a big build-up - that's where I want to be. It was a big occasion and the kind of game that you want to play in.

"I'm starting to get an understanding with Stephen Elliott and he could have had another couple at Elland Road.

"He's had a great start to the season, but all of the new lads have settled in well. We're working off each other and we all want to make the best of our moves."

Whitehead will retain his place in the starting line-up tomorrow, but Sunderland could be without Julio Arca for the second game running.

The versatile defender, who missed Friday night's win because of a dead leg, had a scan yesterday in an attempt to get to the bottom of the problem.

McCarthy is confident that the injury is not too serious but, with the games continuing to come thick and fast, Arca will not be risked in Yorkshire if he is not 100 per cent right.

l Luton extended their lead at the top of Coca-Cola League One after beating Peterborough 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Rowan Vine opened the scoring for Mike Newell's side after 31 minutes but Curtis Woodhouse levelled for the visitors just after the break.

Paul Underwood grabbed the winner for the Hatters after 57 minutes with a close-range finish.

The win increased Luton's lead at the top to nine points as Hull drew with Stockport.

Neither sides could find the target at the Kingston Communications Stadium in an uninspiring game which left Stockport bottom of the table.

Tranmere climbed to second following a late win at Torquay.

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