McCarthy Praises Whitley

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has backed Cardiff City's decision to sign former Black Cats midfielder Jeff Whitley.

The Northern Ireland international will become the first new face at Ninian Park following the arrival of former Southampton and Wolves boss Dave Jones.

The 26-year old has agreed a two-year deal with the Championship club and the move will be finalised once Zambian-born player has passed his medical.

McCarthy, who released Whitley despite helping Sunderland to the Championship title last season, believes Jones has made an excellent signing.

"Jeff was a fantastic player. He was terrific at Sunderland and much-maligned at times," he said

"He's a terrific character. Any Championship club who was looking for a player who drives people on and wins tackles should have signed him. Cardiff have done well to sign him.

"Jeff was different class for me, putting in tackles and winning the ball. Without players like him, Julio Arca couldn't play, Marcus Stewart wouldn't have got his goals and Stephen Elliott wouldn't have been the same player."

"Telling players they are leaving is not a job I enjoy, but it has to be done. It's part of the job," he added.

"All my players at Sunderland contribute but Jeff, along with Carl Robinson who played with him in midfield, were top-class."

Whitley's arrival at Ninian Park is expected to place a question mark over the future of holding midfielder Willie Boland, who is currently mulling over City's offer of a new contract on reduced terms.