MICK McCARTHY has resigned himself to the possibility of failing to add to his Sunderland squad ahead of next Thursday's transfer deadline.

McCarthy has been assessing the market on an on-going basis to try to identify players who would strengthen the Black Cats' promotion bid.

On Sunday he was at the CIS Insurance Cup final in Scotland where he watched Livingston edge out Hibernian and he cast an eye over possible targets - including the star of the show David Fernandez.

A day later McCarthy lost out to Sheffield United in the battle for Bradford City's teenage full-back Simon Francis -the second player to choose that route within a month following Andy Gray's decision to go to Bramall Lane.

The Sunderland boss managed to secure the services of Middlesbrough's experienced defender Colin Cooper until the end of the season, although he is keen to ensure the 37-year-old is not the only fresh face.

But, with a little under a week to go before transfer deadline day for Nationwide League clubs, McCarthy has admitted he may have to wait until the summer to make more additions.

"I am trying to bring people in but only if it is going to improve us," said McCarthy.

"We have got two young lads, Grant Leadbitter and Ben Clark, who have come back from injury and that helps.

"But to get players in to beef the squad is one thing but it is not easy to get players in and tell them they will have to sit on the bench.

"At the minute these lads are doing a job for me. I might just have to stick with the players we have got at the moment."

One of McCarthy's latest signings is hoping to earn his first start for the club at Reading tomorrow.

Striker Darren Byfield has had to remain patient since arriving from Rotherham last month with Tommy Smith, Kevin Kyle and Marcus Stewart all fighting to play up front.

The fact that Byfield is ineligible to play for Sunderland in the FA Cup has not helped.

However the 27-year-old's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Stoke on Tuesday - his second goal in six substitute appearances - is likely to see him play from the first whistle against play-off rivals Reading.

And McCarthy said: "Darren has been excellent. To come and bide his time and have a bit part after being a regular at Rotherham has taken some doing. He has done really well and I'm pleased with him.

"Darren has come in and give us something extra and with him scoring he is in the frame."

Matt Piper could also find himself in a starting role after two cameo roles following his return from a serious knee injury.

The £3.5m signing from Leicester has not been in the starting XI since the win at Preston in August.

But McCarthy said: "Piper set Darren's goal up on Tuesday and it's nice to have players of his quality coming back.

"The more minutes he gets the more quality he shows.

"He is a player who Sunderland paid £3.5m for so he has obviously got talent. He has pace and he can put good quality crosses in the box. It will be nice to be able to bring that quality back into the team."

Jason McAteer is in the squad for the trip to Reading but he is rated doubtful with an abdominal strain. Sean Thornton picked up a sore foot in training yesterday but he should be fit .

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