Mick: Poom has to earn the right to play

Mick McCarthy said tonight that his first choice keeper at the moment will continue to be Thomas Myhre, despite Mart Poom being close to full fitness.

Despite being on the bench for the Lads' recent victory over Derby County, Poom did not figure on the teamsheet for this week's game against Sheffield United, and McCarthy praised Myhre's performance.

"Tommy Myhre showed what a quality keeper he is by making the saves in the second half. He's different class and he's earned that No 1 slot.

And McCarthy confirmed that Myhre will continue to keep his place while performances merit it - and that Poom will have to fight to get his place back: "Poomy has to come back and get his reserve games under his belt and earn his right to get in the team. At the minute Tommy Myhre's first choice."

There was also praise for striker Marcus Stewart who scored the winner just before half time.

"Marcus Stewart was brilliant. It just shows you, doesn't it? He was getting the bird a little bit at one stage and today they gave him an ovation when he came off. He ran the centre-backs in channels they didn't want to go and he really messed them about with his peformance. He deserved his goal. He's been fantastic this season."

But the manager admitted Sheffield had made Sunderland fight all the way for their victory, which keeps them close behind the two automatic promotion spots. Draws for the current top two, Ipswich and Wigan, ensured that those clubs were unable to pull away from Sunderland.

Mick said "They were throwing it into our box and in the main we dealt with it well but it is difficult - they made us defend and defend we did.

"We've had to scrap for that result, Sheffield United played well in the second half. But at the end of it it's irrelevant because we've won the game which is all-important.

"I would have been delighted if Ipswich and Wigan had won as well but I'm more so because they have dropped points."

No move for Le Tallec

Rumours of a move to Sunderland for Liverpool player Antony le Tallec seem destined to come to nothing.

The French-born 20 year old is currently on loan with St Etienne and rumours abounded this week that Mick McCarthy had had the youngster watched by SAFC scouts.

But today's Sunderland Echo says their understanding is the Sunderland have ended their interest in signing the midfielder.

Leeds, Norwich and Crystal Palace are also reported to be interested in signing Le Tallec.