BIRMINGHAM City manager Steve Bruce has recalled midfielder Darren Carter from his Sunderland loan spell.

The 20-year-old's three month deal was due to end after Sunderland's game at Cardiff this weekend, but the Blues' boss has taken the option to bring back Carter early after injuries to both Muzzy Izzett (knee) and Stan Lazaridis (hamstring) left him short in midfield.

Black Cats' boss Mick McCarthy was hopeful he could persuade his Birmingham counterpart to keep the midfielder at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season.

McCarthy said: "Steve Bruce has been great to let us have him. Darren's been terrific and I'll be saddened to see him go."

The return will also come as a major disappointment to Carter. Only last week, the left-footed central midfielder was keen to extend his stay at Sunderland.

He made ten appearances during his spell on Wearside and scored one goal.

The Sunderland boss has moved to stop another player leaving when he extended skipper Gary Breen's contract.

With the January transfer window approaching, the 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international - in the final year of his current deal - was free to talk to other clubs next month.

Breen has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premiership once again, but fans' fears he would leave the Black Cats should they fail to achieve promotion this year were dispelled when he signed a one-year extension to his current contract.

The deal will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2006; with the option of signing for another season after that.

Breen said: "I'm delighted the deal is done. Now I can continue to focus on getting us promoted.

"Since I've been here the fans have been fantastic to me and hopefully by committing my future to the club I can repay their faith in me."

McCarthy added: ''Everyone knows how highly I rate Breeny.

"I think he has been my most influential signing. Not only is he a quality defender, but also he's a great leader on and off the field and brings a tremendous amount of experience to our side.''

Breen, who has won 61 caps for his country, joined Sunderland on a free transfer from West Ham in August 2003 and has made more than 50 appearances for the Wearsiders.

Meanwhile, Julio Arca has revealed that he still harbours international ambitions. The 23-year-old, who recently put pen to a new two-year deal - which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2007 - says he still dreams of playing for Argentina.

Arca has represented his country at under 20 level and was a member of the victorious team crowned FIFA World Champions three years ago.

He was also part of the Young Argentinians' squad who lifted the World Youth Championships the previous year - but he has yet to represent the full squad.

He said: "I never lose the ambition of playing for my country, but at the moment, nothing has happened. I thought I might have a chance of playing in the Olympics, but no. That was a disappointment, but I'm still waiting.

"I think a lot depends on getting promotion. The national team is made up of players from the Premiership or the top leagues in Italy or Spain."

* Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence is hoping to convert Black Cats' Darren Williams' loan deal into a permanent one which would allow the defender to play at the weekend.

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