THOMAS MYHRE would rather play second fiddle to Mart Poom at Sunderland than accept any offers from his native Norway.

Goalkeeper Myhre is available on a free transfer, even though he has a year left on his contract.

There is plenty of interest from Scandinavia, but if the 30-year-old cannot clinch a transfer back to the Premiership he wants to seal a move to either Italy or Spain.

It is understood two clubs from southern Europe have made contact with his representatives and he has an offer in place from a top-flight English club.

But if those deals fail to materialise then Myhre is resigned to starting pre-season training with the Black Cats.

The former Everton man is wanted by Norwegian clubs Viking and Stabaek and he has already turned down an approach from Odd Grenland.

But Myhre is prepared to sit on the remaining 12 months of his contract at the Stadium of Light if it means he can postpone a return to Norway.

A source close to the player said: "Thomas does have a number of options from Norway. He could go back there to play his football but he would prefer to do that in a few years.

"He would rather go back to pre-season training at Sunderland than move back to Norway at this moment in his career."

Meanwhile, released defender Phil Babb is wanted by former Sunderland boss Peter Reid at Coventry City.

* Barcelona have confirmed Newcastle are trying to lure Patrick Kluivert to Tyneside - but the Dutch striker has turned them down.

Kluivert, who is available on a free transfer, is wanted by both the Magpies and Middlersbrough but he is known to prefer a move to either London or Italy.

He recently dismissed Boro as a 'small club' and now Barca vice-president Sandro Rosell has revealed: "Kluivert appears not to want to go because the teams are not in London."

Newcastle remain determined to snap up young Leeds star James Milner this summer - despite their initial advances being thwarted.

It is understood Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has turned down a proposed swap deal which would have seen Hugo Viana move the other way.

Now the Magpies are considering other ways of trying to team up Milner, 18, with former Elland Road teammates Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer.

* Ambitious chairman Steve Gibson is focused on adding new firepower to the Middlesbrough squad in a bid to kick on from last season's successes.

Boro won their first major trophy when they they lifted the Carling Cup, but missed out on a top half Premiership finish.

But Gibson wants to make sure they make strides towards the top six and he is aiming to fulfil that dream by ending the club's search for a top striker.

Mark Viduka remains the top target and there has also been interest in Ayegbeni Yakubu and Kluivert.

Gibson said: "Everyone knows our failings. We know them and we are working very hard to put that right.

"There were games last season which we should have won and didn't and the reason for that is that we didn't take the chances created. We're working to put that right and the win in Cardiff was vital for the status of this club."

* Darlington midfielder Ashley Nicholls will League Two rivals Cambridge United at the end of the month.

The 22-year-old will put pen to paper on a two-year deal when his existing Quakers contract expires on June 30.

Nicholls will follow Barnsley-bound Barry Conlon out of the exit door.

And Quakers could lose a third player this week, with defender Matt Clarke expected to seal a move to Notts County.

The 23-year-old still has a year to run on his contract and will command a fee. However, Hodgson has admitted he will not stand in Clarke's way if he is offered improved terms.

Hodgson was in talks with an unnamed player at the Neasham Road Stadium yesterday. Following Dean Windass' decision to stay with Bradford, a striker tops Hodgson's list of priorities as he looks to strengthen his squad.