FORMER Saints boss Stuart Gray leads Wolves into action against Sunderland tonight following the exit of another ex-Dell manager, Dave Jones.

Gray, sacked by Saints over three years ago, has been appointed as caretaker manager at Molineux.

He is one of the outside contenders to get the job on a permanent basis along with the likes of Micky Adams, Gary Megson, John Gregory, Sir Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle and Paul Ince.

But first the man who survived less than seven months in the St Mary's hot-seat must take struggling Wolves to The Stadium of Light.

Chairman Rick Hayward yesterday admitted the decision to sack Jones, who left Saints to fight what proved to be unfounded allegations of child abuse, was a hard one to make.

Appointed in January 2001, Jones had steered the Black Country club into the Premiership following a 3-0 play-off final victory over Sheffield United in May 2003.

But after relegation from the Premiership at the end of last season, Wolves are languishing 19th in the Championship.

They are only four points above the relegation zone after the weekend's 1-0 defeat to second from bottom Gillingham, who had a man sent off after only 12 minutes.

Hayward said: "I hope I don't have to make many more decisions like this.

"It was a hard decision to make but one that I have to live with.

"Dave taught me a lot and he is a great guy and a friend but this is a business.

"We now have to move on and look for a new manager who we hope can take us back into the Premiership at the end of the season.

"I just felt that we could not wait any longer to make this decision."

Wolves' chief executive Jez Moxey praised the impact Jones had made during his tenure at Molineux, winning promotion via the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.

"No-one will ever forget that day at Cardiff," Moxey said.

"We are pleased with what Dave did for us and he was one of the most successful managers the club has had.

"Dave is disappointed with the decision we have made and he would like to have carried on.

"Now we have to make the right decision and that is more important than making a quick decision."