Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy is running the rule over United States international Clint Mathis as he attempts to add firepower to his squad.

SUNDERLAND midfielder Sean Thornton is desperate to put his injury misery behind him and help his club in the battle for promotion.

Nottingham Forest 2 Sunderland 0

Nolberto Solano condemned Sunderland to a 13th successive Premiership defeat from the penalty spot as Newcastle re-ignited their Champions League challenge.

West Brom fought to the bitter end for their Premiership lives by condemning already-relegated Sunderland to an 11th successive league defeat - but it was no good as West Brom were sent packing from the league also.

Sunderland cast-offs Lilian Laslandes and Bernt Haas could yet have a future on Wearside.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy is confident the green shoots of recovery are breaking through the turf at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland 0 Bolton Wanderers 2

Thomas Sorensen proved to be Sunderland’s hero as the Premiership’s basement boys clinched a place in the FA Cup fifth round after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Arsene Wenger believes striker Francis Jeffers can play a key role in Arsenal retaining the Premiership title after turning down two approaches for him in the last month.

Howard Wilkinson insisted relegation is not inevitable for Sunderland despite the side slipping to the bottom of the Premiership for the first time this season.

Charlton have went 3-0 ahead against Sunderland.

Sunderland 0

Sunderland 0 Southampton 1

Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson suffered more heartbreak when his team were beaten by a Jo Tessem goal in the fourth minute of injury time.

GORDON STRACHAN believes Southampton can “go toe-to-toe with anybody” as they go into today’s match against Sunderland at St Mary’s Stadium on the back of a fine recent run.

ARSENAL extended their lead at the top beating West Brom, Manchester United lost again — this time to Middlesbrough — and teenage prodigy Wayne Rooney was sent off in a frenetic programme of English premier league matches yesterday.

Gerard Houllier has vowed to drag Liverpool out of their Premiership slump as struggling Sunderland further dented their title hopes.

Sunderland 0 Birmingham City 1

Sunderland reserve coach Ricky Sbragia has left the club to take up a new position with Manchester United.

Sunderland 2 Tottenham 0

Bristling Arsene Wenger today dismissed suggestions of a crisis of confidence at Highbury after Arsenal tossed away a two-goal lead against Sunderland in the Worthington Cup and suffered their fifth defeat in six matches.

Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson will send out his lads’ army for the Worthington Cup third round trip to Arsenal.

Ipswich 1 Bradford 2