IT MIGHT be an old adage, but Mick McCarthy believes you don't have to be mad to be a goalkeeper, but it certainly helps.

The Sunderland boss feels none of his shot-stoppers are suffering from the eccentric tendencies that plague some goalkeepers, but he did admit his number two thinks otherwise

Ian Evans reckons you must be barking mad if you want to stand between the goalposts and have players thump footballs at you at 60mph.

McCarthy did admit, however, it takes a special type of person to stand between the sticks.

"To get battered with balls all through training is a tough existence and I imagine it will make you a tougher character," admitted McCarthy.

"Only the other day Michael Ingham was in the nets and he was getting bashed repeatedly because there were shots coming in from everywhere and he was having to work hard.

"I was showing him a bit of sympathy and Ian said 'sod him, he shouldn't have become a goalkeeper.

"I didn't become a goalkeeper and he didn't have to be a goalkeeper - he should have been a centre half!

"So to be a good goalkeeper I suppose you have to be that way and there has to be some suggestion they're mad.

McCarthy could be without both his first-choice goalkeepers Thomas Myhre and Mart Poom for this afternoon's visit of Watford.

Poom is still recovering from a knee injury sustained in October, and Myhre is on the mend after he received a knock in training this week.

If neither makes it McCarthy would have no qualms in handing Ben Alnwick his first senior appearance for the Black Cats in their crucial Championship clash on Wearside.

"Poomy is still on his rehab and is having to rest and not train as hard as he was," said McCarthy. "I think Tommy Myhre will be fine, but if not Ben Alnwick will play, and I have no worries there because he is a good goalkeeper.

"He is a confident young lad and he has presence in goal. How do you describe a good goalkeeper?

"The way he catches the ball; the way he saves it, or the way he dominates his goal when he plays? I seem to remember giving Shay Given his debut as an 18-year-old against Russia when I was the Republic of Ireland manager.

"There were a few raised eyebrows at that stage but we've seen what he has gone on to do.''

Watford yesterday prepared at Middlesbrough's Rockcliffe Park training ground, following a four-day break in Portugal.

McCarthy recognised the importance of team bonding exercises but reckons a mid-season trip away from the pressures of the league programme could work in one of two ways.

"You can go away, feel refreshed, come back and get a result and everyone says that it was a great trip," admitted McCarthy.

"But if they come back and get a slapping then everyone will wonder why they went.

"I'm sure for team spirit, camaraderie, it does work but whether it is for their benefit only time will tell."

The Sunderland manager believes the Hertfordshire club will provide another stern test to his side's Premiership aspirations and isn't taking them lightly.

He said: "They are well organised and have potential threats up front with (Heidar) Helgusson and (Danny) Webber. Paul Devlin is lively and always a threat; Johnny Jackson is on loan from Tottenham, who is a bit of quality in midfield, and there is Neil Ardley.

"So they've got good attacking options.

"They haven't lost many and there aren't many in the win column, but in the draw column there is.

"They had a great draw at Wigan recently and played very well."

McCarthy had several of his players on international duty this week and there is always a worry some may return with an injury.

Carl Robinson received a dead leg in Wales' friendly win against Hungary but is expected to be fit, so with the exception of Kevin Kyle McCarthy has a full squad to pick from.

He said: "It disrupts your plans a little because you can't do any work regarding a Saturday until the day before the game, but a few managers will be saying the same thing.

"You are always worried when players go away on international duty and it is great to have them back all fit and raring to go for a game which is important to us.

The stage of the season we're in, with 15 games to go, I think Saturday's game will be huge and very difficult."

* Sunderland Ladies FC are through to the last eight of the women's FA Cup for the first time in their short history.

A 2-0 victory over Liverpool earned them the right to face last year's runners-up, Charlton Athletic, in the quarter-finals tomorrow in south east London, 2pm.

Read more about Sunderland here.