CARL ROBINSON will finalise a loan move to Sunderland today, and will be thrust straight into the equation for Saturday's visit of Derby County.

The 27-year-old midfielder will sign until the end of the season from Portsmouth and then a decision will be made on whether to make the deal permanent.

It will be Robinson's third loan spell of the campaign, having already spent time at Rotherham and Sheffield United, and his addition could not have come at a better time.

The Wales international, who has only made 12 appearances for Portsmouth since moving from Wolves in July 2002, will provide competition for places with Jeff Whitley starting a five match ban.

The arrival of the versatile midfielder - who will be unavailable for the FA Cup semi-final against Millwall - comes just six days after manager Mick McCarthy resigned himself to the possibility of failing to add to his squad ahead of today's transfer deadline.

The Sunderland boss also targeted Liverpool midfielder John Welsh after losing out to Sheffield United in the race to sign two Bradford City players, Andy Gray and Simon Francis.

Sunderland goal hero Darren Byfield - a teammate of Robinson during their days together at Rotherham - last night targeted a top two finish as he revealed: "I've joined the best team in the First Division."

Byfield's recent goal glut has been a major factor in the Black Cats' surge up the table, with Tuesday night's winner against Gillingham making it three goals in three games for the Jamaica international.

Those strikes have helped to earn Sunderland a priceless seven points and, with joint leaders Norwich and West Brom continuing to slip up, the automatic promotion places are now back in reach.

"I've played against all the teams in Division One - especially when I was at Rotherham," said Byfield. "And I still believe that we're the strongest team in this league.

"I've always thought that a top-two finish is realistic for us ever since I first came to the club.

"We've been a little bit unlucky so far, but maybe we'll have that bit of luck in the last third of the season. That could get us automatic promotion.

"We all want to do well as a team. That's why there's no sulking or anything like that from whoever's not playing - everything's geared towards getting the team promotion."

Byfield initially struggled to hold down a place in the Sunderland side after signing on a short-term deal. But, after coming off the bench to score against Stoke last week, the 27-year-old has started the last two games and found the net on each occasion.

The jinking run and fearsome finish for the winner against Gillingham provided a vivid illustration of what he is capable of.

"That goal is what my game is all about," said Byfield.

"I like to run at defenders and that was more like the goals that I usually score.

"When the ball went in to Tommy (Smith) I asked him to play it inside and he fed a great ball in.

"After training on Monday, the gaffer had taken me to one side and worked with me for about quarter of an hour doing stepovers.

"So when I was running at the defender that was all I was thinking about. That's why I did it - and that's why I smiled at him after I scored."

Byfield is almost certain to retain his place in the starting line-up when Derby visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday, but he will play no part at Old Trafford ten days time when the Black Cats try to reach the FA Cup final.

An appearance for Rotherham against Northampton in a previous round means he is cup-tied so, instead of kicking his heels in the stand, Byfield is going to jet to the Caribbean to represent Jamaica in a friendly against Honduras on March 31.

"I'm going to join up with the Jamaican squad on Sunday after the Derby game," he confirmed.

"I can't play in the following game anyway because I'm cup tied so that's why I'll be going.

"But, if I'd been able to play at Old Trafford, then I wouldn't be going."

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