Murray: We'll offer Caldwell a contract

Sunderland Chairman Bob Murray has confirmed that Newcastle's Steve Caldwell is still a Sunderland target, and that he intends to offer the player a contract towards the end of this season.

Defender Caldwell, 23, is on loan at Leeds until the end of the current season, and Sunderland have been linked with a move for the player for several months. He has played for Leeds three times since his move there earlier this month but was an unused sub in Scotland's 4-0 thumping by Wales at the Millennium Stadium last week.

Caldwell's contract with Newcastle expires this summer, and Murray told Sky Sports today, "I have spoken to Freddy Shepherd about Steve but he wants a fee for him.

"Mick McCarthy has told me he likes the player and that's no secret.

"Mick is pleased that Steve is getting first-team football at Leeds. He will be offered a deal by this football club at some point."