Mick: No future for Gray at SAFC

Sunderland gaffer Mick McCarthy has said that one-time team captain Mickey Gray has no future at the Stadium of Light.

Gray signed professional papers with Sunderland in 1992 when he turned 18 and has remained at his hometown club ever since, until last summer when a loan period saw him move to Celtic.

That loan period ended on 31st December, but Celtic have retained Gray's registration, and the player is in talks with Hoops boss Martin O'Neill about staying at Celtic Park on loan until the end of the current season.

During his time at Celtic, Gray has represented the Hoops at SPL, Scottish League Cup and Champions League level, most recently starting for Celtic in their 3-2 defeat to Lyon which saw them dumped out of the competition.

Mick McCarthy said "Michael Gray's back and that's not a problem, but I don't see a future for him in the team here."

TICKET NEWS: Millwall (A), Watford (A)

Nationwide Division One
Millwall
The New Den
Saturday 17th January 2004
Kick Off 3.00pm

Tickets now on general sale.

Prices
Adults £22
Senior Citizens £17
Juniors £17

----------------------------------------------------

Nationwide Division One
Watford
Vicarage Road
Saturday 7th February 2004
Kick Off 3.00pm

Season ticket holders can apply by post only until 5.30pm on Friday
16th January 2004 - Voucher 44 required.

Tickets will go on general sale from 10.00am on Wednesday 21st January 2004 - subject to availability.

Prices
Adults £20
Senior Citizens £10
Juniors £10

TICKET CREDIT CARD HOTLINE

Sunderland AFC - 0191-5515151 or 08700-11-22-66 (subject to a Booking
Fee). Visa, Master Card, Delta & Switch accepted.

HOME LEAGUE MATCH TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:

* Ticketmaster - 08705 862 015* , all major credit cards accepted.
Available 24 hours.
* Sunderland AFC website* - www.safc.com
* Subject to booking fee

24hr Sunderland AFC Ticketing information line 09068 12 18 81. All
calls 60p per minute at all times.

Sunderland out of the Cup

Sunderland Reserves have withdrawn from the Durham Challenge Cup
because of a growing injury list at the club.

The Black Cats were due to play Bishop Auckland in round
three in Durham tomorrow.

But with a heavy fixture schedule ahead, and with a
number of injury and suspension problems, Mick McCarthy has decided to
take insurance and retire from the tournament.

McCarthy was down to 17 available professionals for
Sunderland's FA Cup tie with Hartlepool United on Saturday and the
Sunderland boss is reluctant to take further risks.

A Sunderland spokesperson said: "It's with regret that
we have had to withdraw from the competition. We'd like to apologise to
Bishop Auckland for the short notice of the decision but with a
heavy fixture schedule looming and with a lot of injuries at the club
there was little option."