Sunderland

Injured Myhre praises understudy
Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Alnwick will continue to deputise for first choice Thomas Myhre in Sunday's title celebration party at home to Stoke. Myhre has missed three games with a thigh strain and boss Mick McCarthy does not want to rush him back. Norwegian international Myhre says teenager Alnwick deserves his chance: "Ben has been tremendous. "And the fact that we are promoted and champions means I do not have to rush back," he told the club website.

Stewart shown door by Sunderland
Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Marcus Stewart will leave the club in the summer. The 17-goal striker, 32, has been told that he will not get his contract renewed at the Stadium of Light. "He's comfortable with it and looking forward to a fresh challenge," McCarthy told the club's website. "He's been terrific for the club and has had a brilliant season. He went through a goal drought but was still our best player by a mile." The former Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield man moved to Wearside in a £3.25m deal from Ipswich in August 2002.

SMB, that's all I'm going to say on the subject :?

Are you looking forward to the local derbys next season?? :?:

Sunderland revel in title victory
Sunderland celebrated winning promotion to the Premiership with an open-top bus trip and victory parade at the town's civic centre on Monday. Manager Mick McCarthy and his players showed off the Championship trophy in front of tens of thousands of fans. "We did not expect to see so many people, it makes you feel humble and proud to be part of the football club and part of the town," said McCarthy. "The players have been magnificent and deserve a massive round of applause." Sunderland captain Gary Breen paid tribute to the Black Cats' supporters after celebrating his team's promotion. "This is fantastic. It makes all the hard work worthwhile," said Breen. "The fans were low when I came here and it's great to bring them success. You can see how much it means to them." Marcus Stewart added: "The journey was amazing, unbelievable, I've never had anything like it in my career and I'm proud to be associated with this club." The parade set off from Sunderland Civic Centre at around 1815 BST in front of an enthusiastic crowd, before the convoy turned into Borough Road to be confronted by a mass of red and white shirts, hooters and cheers. McCarthy's players were greeted by a brass band and ticker-tape as their bus made its way along Fawcett Street and over Wearmouth Bridge. The noise reached its high-point when the stars of the show walked on to the stage and were introduced individually after "We are the Champions" had rung out several times.

Sunderland agree price for Stead
Blackburn striker Jonathan Stead could join Sunderland this week after the two clubs agreed a fee for his services. Stead, 22, will hold talks with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy to discuss terms of a potential transfer. "Blackburn accepted a fee and gave Jon permission to speak to Sunderland," said Stead's agent John Seasman. "Mick was pursuing him when he left Huddersfield and was disappointed he didn't sign but circumstances change and Jon wants to carry on his career." Sunderland do face competition for the England Under-21 striker after Blackburn revealed they had given another club permission to talk to him. Stead, who is understood to be available for an initial £1.5m, opted for Rovers ahead of Sunderland in February last year and joined for £1.2m. He enjoyed an excellent start to his career at Ewood Park and made light of the step up from Huddersfield, who were in League Two at the time of his switch, to the top flight. But he scored only twice in 34 appearances last season and was in and out of the team under manager Mark Hughes, playing the full 90 minutes in only nine league games.

Miller keen on Sunderland switch
Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller says he is keen for a move to Premiership newcomers Sunderland. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, says the Black Cats have had talks with his father Tommy, who acts as his agent. "A move to Sunderland appeals to me," the midfielder told the Journal. "Sunderland are in the Premiership and there is the challenge of playing on that stage, and it would mean a move back to the north, where I come from." The former Hartlepool player has been offered a new deal by Ipswich and Miller Snr held talks with Leeds on Tuesday. But Miller appears keen on a move to Sunderland, the club he supported as a boy. He added: "My father represents me. He has been in the game for a long time and he has had talks with Sunderland. "At this stage of my career, it is a big, big decision. I have got a lot of thinking to do and I will bide my time before making a decision because this is such a key time in my career. "I will not rush into it. I am contracted to Ipswich until the end of June, so technically I cannot move to another club before then anyway. "I am getting married at the weekend and then I am away on honeymoon for a few weeks, so I will decide either when I get back or while I am away. It certainly will not be before I go." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001. The Wearsiders are understood to be close to agreeing a deal to take Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis to the Stadium of Light, and have been given permission to talk to Blackburn striker Jon Stead.

Wolves turn down bid for Miller
Wolves have rejected an undisclosed seven-figure offer from Sunderland for 25-year-old striker Kenny Miller. Sunderland, who are also chasing Waterford forward Daryl Murphy, have been told their valuation is short. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We've been very pleased with Kenny's efforts over the past season, he worked hard and scored 20 goals. "The cost of finding a 20-goal replacement would be far greater than what Sunderland have offered." Moxey added: "Furthermore, the cost to any Premier League club trying to buy a striker of Kenny's age, experience, international status and goalscoring abilities would be greater than what is now on the table. "The manager's had meetings with Kenny, and the player has indicated he wishes to stay on the transfer list. "We're aware he'll be out of contract next summer but unless we receive an acceptable offer, one that would enable us to buy a suitable replacement, we would prefer to keep him here and see him score goals for us next season. "If he does that and helps us win promotion and becomes a Bosman player at the end of the season, then as far as I am concerned, that is better than accepting a cheap sum now." Miller went on the transfer list after falling out with former Wolves boss Dave Jones. He was a regular started under Glenn Hoddle last season and had suggested he was prepared to hold talks with the club about coming off the list. Newly-promoted Sunderland have already agreed a fee for Blackburn striker Jon Stead, who is expected to have talks with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy. But with McCarthy releasing last season's top scorer Marcus Stewart and allowing Michael Bridges to leave on a free transfer he is in the market for strikers. Youngsters Stephen Elliott and Chris Brown impressed last season but have little Premiership experience, while Scotland forward Kevin Kyle has been dogged by a serious hip injury.

Sunderland fail in Helguson move
Watford have rejected a £1m bid from Premiership newcomers Sunderland for striker Heidar Helguson. Helguson scored 20 goals last season, including four in the last five matches as Watford avoided the drop. Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd offered the Icelandic forward a new deal and have resisted the Black Cats' offer. Sunderland have had an offer accepted for Blackburn's Jon Stead and have failed in bids for Wolves' Kenny Miller and Ipswich's Darren Bent.

Sunderland sign Irish star Murphy
Sunderland have completed the £100,000 signing of highly-rated Irish striker Daryl Murphy from Waterford. The 22-year-old has signed a two-year deal after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said: "Daryl is a target man, a big, powerful striker and I am looking forward to seeing him here at Sunderland. "We believe he has a bright future and I am delighted we have been able to bring him to Sunderland."

Wolves reject second Miller bid
Wolves have confirmed they have turned down a second bid from Sunderland for Scotland striker Kenny Miller. Wolves rejected an initial bid from the Premiership new boys for 25-year-old Miller last week and say a slightly improved bid has also been snubbed. "We received a second offer but it fell short of our valuation of the player and we told Sunderland this," chief executive Jez Moxey told their website. "Unless we get a suitable bid we want Kenny to play for us next term." Miller went on the transfer list after falling out with former Wolves boss Dave Jones. He was a regular started under Glenn Hoddle last season and had suggested he was prepared to hold talks with the club about coming off the list. Sunderland have already agreed a fee for Blackburn striker Jon Stead, who is expected to have talks with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy. But with McCarthy releasing last season's top scorer Marcus Stewart and allowing Michael Bridges to leave on a free transfer he is in the market for strikers. Youngsters Stephen Elliott and Chris Brown impressed last season but have little Premiership experience, while Scotland forward Kevin Kyle has been dogged by a serious hip injury.

Four offers for Ipswich's Miller
Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller remains undecided over his next move with four clubs competing for his signature. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has been offered a new deal by Ipswich but is also wanted by Sunderland, Leeds and Crystal Palace. "Tommy has not ruled out signing a new deal with Ipswich - that is still a very strong option," Miller's father Tommy Miller told BBC Sport. "He's torn been staying at Ipswich and getting a fresh start." At the weekend Miller married his long-time girlfriend and will make his final decision after returning from his honeymoon on 21 June. "The Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks called him before the wedding to wish him all the best," added the midfielder's father. "While he is away he is going to think what is best to do. "There have been lots of reports linking him with Celtic, but I've heard absolutely nothing on that front." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001.

Poom pulls out of Estonia matches
Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom has been forced to withdraw from Estonia's World Cup qualifiers next week after undergoing minor knee surgery. The 33-year-old, who only played 12 games last season, had the operation after picking up an infection. "Mart was suffering from a slight infection and has simply had it washed out," said a Sunderland spokesman. "It is nothing serious." Poom is expected to resume training within a fortnight.

Kyle may miss start of new season
Injured Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle is almost certain to miss the start of the new season if it is confirmed he needs another hip operation. The 24-year-old managed just seven senior appearances last season because of the long-standing problem. Manager Mick McCarthy told the club's website: "It looks like he will need another operation and it's a blow. "If that's the case, there is no way he will be with us for pre-season - or by the start of next season." Kyle played a major role in the Black Cats' near-miss as they attempted to return to the Barclays Premiership at the first attempt two seasons ago. But last term was seriously disrupted by a hip cartilage injury and Kyle travelled to France to consult Paris-based specialist Thierry Boyer.

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