KEVIN KYLE'S international jinx has struck again but the Sunderland striker is even more determined to prove his critics wrong.

The powerful front-man has been forced to miss Scotland's friendly with Estonia tonight with a niggling throat infection.

It is a further blow to Kyle as he tries desperately to win over the doubters north of the border who do not believe he can turn on the style for Berti Vogts' side.

The Sunderland star, who could still earn his tenth cap when Trinidad and Tobago visit Edinburgh on Sunday, admits the real Kyle has never stood up for his country.

But the is convinced he can come good for Scotland and he hopes to ensure the Tartan Army warm to the whole-hearted commitment that supporters on Wearside have come to respect.

"When I play for Scotland the Scottish fans don't see the real Kevin Kyle most of the time," said Kyle, who has only one goal for Scotland to his name.

"When I go away I look forward to playing well and, when it doesn't happen, I get disappointed and upset about it.

"I've played well at Sunderland this season and earned praise from the manager. I've had fans in the street coming up to me and telling me that I'm doing well.

"But then, when I go away with Scotland, my confidence gets knocked. I don't know what it is. It's not that I don't give 100 per cent for my country, just like I do for my club.

"I always try my best, but sometimes it doesn't go my way with Scotland and I haven't really enjoyed the games.

"But I'll keep plugging away and, hopefully, it will click and I'll get the plaudits I'm looking for."

John Oster, also on international duty this week with Wales, has admitted his Sunderland future hangs in the balance.

Oster, expected to play against Norway tonight, is out of contract at the Stadium of Light next week and he is understood to have turned down a two-year extension on reduced wages.

Oster said: "I understand the situation, it is a tough problem for Sunderland and they are trying to cut the wage bill. It happens to every side that gets relegated from the Premiership.

"It happened to us last summer and now it's happening again. Us and West Ham have both been through the same situation. But now we have failed in the play-offs, these are the repercussions."

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy hopes a pre-season trip to the United States will help new signings settle at the club.

McCarthy, whose side face another year outside the Premiership after losing to Crystal Palace in the Division One play-offs, wants to bring fresh faces in before they fly across the Atlantic Ocean for their first game with Carolina United Soccer Leagues XI in Raleigh on July 14.

Three days later they have arranged a friendly with A-League champions Charleston Battery before taking on Wilmington Hammerheads on July 21.

McCarthy said: "It's always nice to get away for pre-season. We spend ten months of the year training at the Academy, so a change of scenery is good for everyone.

''It will be a very different environment in the US in July, the climate will be hot.

"I'm really looking forward to the games and visiting the three clubs. It will also hopefully be an important opportunity for us all to get to know new players and build a great spirit again before we start the new season."

* TORE Andre Flo wants another crack at the Premiership after forgetting about his nightmare year at Sunderland.

The Norwegian was sold by the Black Cats to Italian side Siena last August after scoring just four league goals during his 12 months at the Stadium of Light.

The signing of Flo, for £8.2m, proved an expensive mistake by former boss Peter Reid which eventually led to the manager's downfall and Sunderland's relegation.

But the gangly striker, whose goals helped Siena preserve Serie A status this season, has admitted he would love to return to England where he enjoyed a successful spell with Chelsea.

Read more about Sunderland here.