MICK McCarthy last night thanked Brian Deane for aiding Sunderland's promotion push, despite the veteran striker not having kicked a ball for the club.

Deane, who moved on loan from fellow Championship side Leeds on transfer deadline day, was an unused substitute as the Black Cats beat Wigan to move eight points clear of the play-off zone on Tuesday night.

The former Middlesbrough forward has yet to make his Sunderland debut, but despite his lack of action McCarthy has been delighted with his impact since moving to Wearside.

Deane's arrival has added further competition to a congested forward line and, as a result, Sunderland's other strikers have had to work even harder to guarantee their place.

Chris Brown, in particular, has responded to the challenge and, while the 20-year-old was unable to get on to the scoresheet at the JJB Stadium, McCarthy feels his willingness to lead the line is a direct response to the extra pressure being exerted by Deane.

"I'm pleased with the signing of Brian," said the Black Cats boss, who has guided his side to eight consecutive wins at the most crucial stage of the season. He's not had a kick for us yet, but he's had an impact.

"Perhaps Browny has looked at him and thought 'That's my position'.

"He's been different class since Brian arrived and, in Kevin Kyle's absence, he's thought 'I'll make that target-man position my own.'

"He's taken over the mantle, even though he wasn't like that at the start of the season, so Brian Deane has made a difference just by being here."

Ironically, Deane would never have arrived at the Stadium of Light had McCarthy's number one target not been barred from joining Sunderland.

The former Republic of Ireland boss thought he had secured the services of Reading striker Nicky Forster, only for the Royals to restore the 31-year-old to their starting line-up when Dean Morgan was injured last month.

Forster will be on Wearside tomorrow when Reading look to halt Sunderland's promotion charge and, after monitoring his progress for a number of months, McCarthy is well aware of the threat he will pose.

"We'd agreed for Nicky to come until the end of the season," he confirmed.

"But for Reading's centre-forward being injured and not being able to travel to Brighton, I'm sure Nicky would have been here.

"As it was, he went down to Brighton and scored the winner and the rest is history.

"He stayed there and he's still scoring goals.

"I'd been looking around. Nicky was on the way and would have come up, but it didn't happen.

"I'd asked about Ian Moore. He was available but Leeds took him, so I went to Leeds and said 'Well if you're having Ian Moore, is there any chance of me having Brian Deane'?

"My phone bill was certainly impressive that month."

McCarthy's determination to add another striker was triggered by Kyle's repeated struggles against a long-term hip problem.

The Scotland international has not featured in the first team since August's 1-0 defeat at Reading's Madejski Stadium and, only last week, McCarthy was ruling him out for the rest of the season.

But, in the latest astonishing twist to a saga that has already had more turns than most working men's clubs, Kyle scored five goals on Wednesday as the reserves beat Aston Villa 7-5.

The striker will not be in the squad to face Reading tomorrow but, while another operation has not been ruled out, it would no longer be a surprise to see him back in senior action before the season's end.

"Kevin hasn't got a chance of being involved this weekend," said McCarthy.

"He was only going to play for 45 minutes in the reserves but he felt OK, which is pleasing.

"I'm sure he'll be as stiff as the tin man, but we're not worried about that.

"We're not worried about fatigue or fitness problems, it's his hip.

"We're having a look at him and there's still the potential that we might need to go in and have a more detailed look at it again.

"We're hoping that's not the case, but we've got to be treating it conservatively and not taking any chances.

"If he comes back after this last game and he's still having problems with it, another operation might still have to be the option that we take."

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