THOMAS MYHRE experienced the win at all costs team spirit that pushed Crystal Palace to promotion last season and he is feeling a similar atmosphere around Sunderland this time around.

The Norwegian goalkeeper spent three months on loan at Selhurst Park before returning to Wearside in January.

Although he was not with the Eagles when they gained Premiership status via the play-offs in May, Myhre claims to have felt the warm bond that had formed at a club destined to climb out of the Football League.

And the 31-year-old, unable to keep his sixth clean sheet from eight games against West Ham on Saturday, believes there is a similar team spirit working its way through the Sunderland camp but the size of personnel is quite different.

"Confidence was low in my first month at Palace," said Myhre. "But the confidence went sky high after a few good wins and it really was a bit of a fairytale what happened down there.

"We have a great atmosphere here at Sunderland and it's difficult to compare the two because at Palace there was a much smaller squad.

"It was the same 13 or 14 players that played all the games. We did not have too many suspensions or injuries and that always helps continuity. The manager (Iain Dowie) worked hard on that.

"The squad is bigger here at Sunderland and we have a lot of young talent here. But everyone gets on and there is a real feel of togetherness."

After a permanent move to Palace broke down first in January and then again in the summer, Myhre has remained at Sunderland despite being available for transfer.

But manager Mick McCarthy indicated on Friday he would now like to keep the Scandinavian until his contract runs out in June at least.

If top-flight status returns to the club there is a chance Myhre, second choice to the injured Mart Poom, may remain with the Black Cats.

Myhre said: "I speak to Mick McCarthy regularly. The situation is that we have another keeper who is an established international and the main thing for me is to play football.

"I like to play on a regular basis and if I can do that at Sunderland I will be happy."

Myhre also revealed that the feeling in the Sunderland dressing room after Saturday's defeat to West Ham was that the dismissal of Steve Caldwell, who now misses three games, was harsh.

Caldwell saw red after appearing to stamp on Luke Chadwick four minutes before half-time with the game goalless.

And Myhre said: "It didn't go to plan. The sending off had a major say. I don't know whether it was or it wasn't.

"Steve said it wasn't a sending off and after that it was uphill for us.

"Steve said he stood on the ball and the other lads say the same thing. It has to be a really bad thing to get a straight red card and Steve says it was nowhere near a straight red."

SUNDERLAND'S hopes of securing the services of midfielder Darren Carter are on the verge of breaking down after Birmingham City revealed they want him back this week.

Carter has been on loan at the Stadium of Light and has impressed so much that manager Mick McCarthy has talked about extending his stay.

But the 20-year-old could have played his last game for Sunderland after Blues boss Steve Bruce, who has Muzzy Izzet ruled out through injury, claimed the player could be back in time to play in the derby against Aston Villa this coming Sunday.

"Darren's deal with Sunderland is up next weekend and we feel he's better off with us," said Bruce.

"We have been monitoring his progress closely and he's been part of a decent team and done well.

"He's benefited from playing first team football."

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