SUNDERLAND'S failure to bring Ian Moore to Wearside enabled Mick McCarthy to swoop for veteran centre-forward Brian Deane on transfer deadline day.

And the Black Cats' new striker now has these words from his new manager ringing in his ears: 'You can fire us to the Premiership.'

Deane's arrival from Leeds was Sunderland's only addition yesterday, as the club prepare for their final surge to clinch promotion back to the top-flight.

The 37-year-old has only signed until the end of the season and suits both parties because he is thought to be contemplating retirement this summer.

And the chance to play his part in a promotion party at the Stadium of Light has proved an appetising carrot for a striker that has never been afraid to move clubs.

Sunderland have become Deane's eighth club, although he has had nine transfers during a 20-year career that has seen him also have spells at Doncaster, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Benfica and Leicester.

And, despite his age, McCarthy believes the former England international is more than capable of coming up with the goods for Sunderland in the Championship until the end of the season.

"Brian will be a terrific addition to our squad for the last seven games," said McCarthy.

"He's an alternative to what we've got at present, and over the last remaining games that type of player could be important. He'll thrive on the kind of service we can give him and we're well aware of the problems he can cause teams."

With target man Kevin Kyle no nearer finding a solution to the hip problem which has troubled him all season, Deane offers a powerful approach to a strikeforce that is short of strength. He has not cost anything and he has scored 230 league and cup goals in 745 appearances during his career.

But it was Moore's decision to turn down a move to Sunderland that has allowed McCarthy to swoop for Deane.

Moore, out of contract at the end of the season, was sold by Burnley to Leeds for £50,000 yesterday after the player accepted a two-year deal and passed a medical.

The 28-year-old's arrival meant that manager Kevin Blackwell was well blessed with striking talent - with Marlon King, Rob Hulse, David Healy and Aaron Lennon all providing competition.

And Moore admitted: "I had a feeling that I might move on as my contract runs out at the end of the season. Sunderland and Sheffield United seemed very keen but did not have a look in when Leeds became involved.

"Burnley had mentioned a new contract to me but they never offered me anything concrete. The deal from Sunderland was only until the end of the season."

Sunderland's young defender Richie Ryan has gone on loan to Scunthorpe until the end of the season.

And former Stadium of Light midfielder Thomas Butler has moved to Hartlepool after his release from Dunfermline.