McCarthy confirms interest in defender

Sunderland today confirmed that Mick McCarthy is interested in Dumbarton defender, team captain Neil Collins.

The club also confirmed that Collins has been training with the Lads on a trial.

Collins, 20, signed for Dumbarton in the summer of 2002 and has made 71 appearances for them, scoring 4 goals in the process.

Collins has had several other unsuccessful trials over the close season.

McCarthy said, "He's down here and he's a player we're looking at."

But Dumbarton gaffer Brian Fairley gave more detail, saying today, "Mick McCarthy had him down for one trial, liked what he saw, asked him back for another and now there's a deal on the table. He is speaking to his board and we'll just have to wait to see what happens.

"These types of players are normally signed up by now and not available."

Collins is said to be available for a compensation fee of £25,000.