MICK McCARTHY will learn within the next 72 hours whether Blackburn striker Jon Stead has accepted the challenge of spearheading Sunderland's Premiership return.

After talking to the Black Cats over a proposed £1.5m move, eventually rising to £1.8m, Stead headed for a summer holiday in a bid to think things over.

Now, after returning from his sojourn earlier this week, the 22-year-old is preparing to tell Sunderland his decision and hopes are high on Wearside that he will agree terms.

Blackburn accepted the Sunderland bid last month after McCarthy initially contacted Rovers boss Mark Hughes back in January.

But Hughes' willingness to let Stead leave Ewood Park surprised a player who only joined the club last August, when he snubbed the chance to join Sunderland.

McCarthy, though, has never wavered in his admiration for the England Under-21 international and is keen to make Stead his first major signing of the close-season.

The Sunderland boss also has offers on the table for Ipswich duo Tommy Miller and Kelvin Davis but it is Stead's signature that he expects to hear about first.

Charlton were initially competing for Stead but their capture of Darren Bent has left Sunderland in the clear for his signature, unless another club comes in over the next few days.

It is likely to be at the start of next week when an announcement on whether the former Huddersfield striker will be arriving at the Stadium of Light or not is made.

If he doesn't come then McCarthy is sure to step up his interest in Wolves' Kenny Miller, with the Molineux board holding out for at least £2m.

Sunderland have only offered £1.25m to date and, even if a deal is brokered for the Scotland forward, his Wolves team-mate Paul Ince has warned Miller to stay put.

Ince, formerly of Middlesbrough, insists that Miller would be better off at Wolves where he will be part of a Championship promotion push next season.

And the 37-year-old midfielder said: "If he goes to Sunderland he could very well find himself in a relegation fight like we were. They've got to buy a lot of players and if not they will struggle next season.

"Of course he wants to play in the Premier League after having a taste of it and he could have a ticket to get back there.

"But I would say to Kenny Miller that he should stay for another year because I believe this club is going forward. We showed signs of that at the end of last season and I believe we have a great chance of going up.

"He was transfer listed last summer but he got on with it when he came back and ended up scoring 20 goals."

Miller is known to be keen on a move but Wolves are in a strong position because they do not have to sell.

Manager Glenn Hoddle would be happy to have the 25-year-old on board for the start of the new season but he would also be pleased to be armed with more money in the transfer market.

Sunderland have consistently insisted that there are plenty of irons in the fire if targets are missed out on and Watford's Heidar Helguson remains a possibility.

McCarthy has also inquired about Birmingham City's Darren Carter, who spent a couple of months on loan at Sunderland last season, but faces fierce competition.

After returning from his loan stint, Carter impressed at St Andrews in the Premiership and West Ham, West Brom and Wigan are understood to have all made their interest known about taking the player on a season-long deal.

The young midfielder enjoyed his time at the Stadium of Light and would welcome a return but is keen to be told of his worth to the Birmingham side before agreeing a move away.

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