Mick will put pressure on O'Neill

Mick McCarthy says he wants an answer from Celtic boss Martin O'Neill about his intentions for Mickey Gray.

Gray has spent three months at Celtic Park on loan but is now back training with his Sunderland teammates - but he cannot represent the club competitively, as Celtic have retained his registration, leaving the player in limbo.

Bolton have confirmed that they are interested in Gray and are expected to make an offer for him next week or arrange for him to go to the Reebok Stadium on loan, but McCarthy says there's been other interest - and he wants things tied up.

"I'm going to phone Martin in the next few days because we need to get the situation cleared up about whether they are going to sign him or not.

"He has also attracted interest from a few Premiership clubs so we need to get the situation with Celtic clarified. If they do not want him he will come back here. I don't have an axe to grind with him. He is in a difficult situation.

"I'd like to see him sort himself out before the end of January."