MICK McCARTHY last night painted a clear picture of his thoughts after six depressing days by suggesting two of his long-term absentees can walk back into the Sunderland team and pick their position.

Two defeats inside 72 hours, to Brentford in the FA Cup and Middlesbrough in the Premiership, were regarded by the manager as two of the worst displays since he took over in March 2003.

The performances were of such an alarmingly low standard that both George McCartney and Stephen Wright are likely to be pitched into the starting line-up at West Ham tomorrow without playing a competitive game in months.

McCartney and Wright both played 75 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night and are destined to play at Upton Park.

In McCartney's case he has not played since the final day of last season, when Sunderland lifted the Championship trophy, as he has struggled to recover from pain in the back of his leg.

Wright has at least made an appearance this season, but that ended prematurely when he suffered ankle ligament damage in the opening day defeat to Charlton.

But, despite the pair's frustrations, McCarthy has jokingly claimed he will ask the duo where they want to play against the Hammers, just as he will with Kevin Kyle.

"We've got George and Wright coming back," said the beleaguered boss.

"Kevin Kyle made a big impression against Middlesbrough when he came on and the way we've been playing recently they can have their pick of positions.

"It might be time to make a few changes because, it doesn't matter who you are, you can't keep getting beaten.

"You can't keep getting slapped all the time and keep on performing to the best of your ability."

Losing to Boro has left Sunderland 14 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premiership and the growing feeling on Wearside is that relegation is already a formality.

But McCarthy, although remaining realistic, is not about to throw in the towel and is honest enough to admit the trip to West Ham is a serious test of his players' character.

"It's a critical game for our well- being and our self-esteem," said McCarthy, who remains defiant in his stance that he will not be walking away from the club even if he leads the side back into the Football League.

"It's a chance for us to get some pride back and start feeling better about ourselves as a group of players, as coaches and as fans. It's important we have a good performance to lift the club and we could also do with something points-wise as well.

"It doesn't matter who we play in what position, it's about playing for us and not worrying about anyone else.

"We have to play better and we certainly have to compete better than we have in the last two games. I've no doubt we'll do that at West Ham, but we might have to make some changes."

New signing Rory Delap, who joined on deadline day from Southampton, will not be fit to make his debut against West Ham.

He is struggling with an Achilles problem but McCarthy feels the former Derby and Carlisle man will prove to be an astute capture.

He said: "Rory's not going to be fit for this weekend, but when he is he will bring us something we have lacked this season and that's 200 plus appearances in the Premiership.

"That is going to help us this season and it is going to help us next season as well.