SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy faces another transfer tussle with Sheffield United in an attempt to sign teenage Bradford defender Simon Francis.

The Blades tabled a bid for the 19-year-old this week, but sources in West Yorkshire have confirmed that Sunderland have also "expressed an interest" in the former England under-18 international.

McCarthy lost out to Sheffield United when he tried to sign another Bradford player, Andy Gray, last month.

And the Black Cats boss is being urged to show his hand by the administrators currently running the cash-strapped Valley Parade outfit.

Bradford went into administration for a second time last month after failing to raise the £3m needed to secure the club's short-term future and, as a result, manager Bryan Robson accepts that he will have to listen to offers for anyone.

But the former Middlesbrough boss is adamant that he will not be short-changed when it comes to Francis, a player identified as City's most saleable asset and contracted to the club until 2006.

"Because of the financial constraints at the club, if we get a reasonable offer it's something we are going to have to contemplate," said Robson. "But Simon is not going to go cheap.

"Tuesday's win over Watford was his best game since I've been at the club and I hope the scouts from the two clubs were here."

Sunderland's lack of defensive cover has been exposed in recent weeks as injuries to Stephen Wright, Joachim Bjorklund and Gary Breen have forced a succession of reshuffles.

Signing Francis would add some valuable versatility as he is equally comfortable at either right back or centre-half. The Nottingham-born youngster has made 56 appearances for Bradford since making his first-team debut just 16 months ago.

His stock has risen considerably in that period and Sunderland are likely to have to make at least a six-figure bid to prise him away.

Bradford's financial situation means he is likely to depart sooner rather than later.

But, with at least two top-flight clubs known to have been tracking Francis all season, the Bantams could be keen to hold on to him until the Premiership transfer window opens again at the end of the season.

Sunderland's defensive frailties were exposed on Wednesday night as they conceded three goals in a thrilling home draw with Preston.

Their cause wasn't helped by Jeff Whitley's dismissal on the hour for a two-footed lunge at Richard Cresswell, and the midfielder will pay a high price for his mistake by sitting out next month's FA Cup semi-final against either Millwall or Tranmere.

Whitley has been one of Sunderland's most consistent performers this season and, with a lengthy ban in the offing, centre-half Breen admits that the Black Cats will miss the industrious midfielder.

"I didn't really see the tackle when it happened," said Breen. "But Jeff has done really well for us throughout the season.

"The biggest disappointment is that we will miss him for three important games - it's not the fact that he was sent off on Wednesday night.

"But the squad is quite strong. There were a few fringe players who came in and now they have a chance to make the most of that."

The games continue to come thick and fast at the Stadium of Light with fellow promotion hopefuls West Ham travelling to Wearside tomorrow before Sunderland play host to Stoke three days later.

Such a congested fixture list is a cause for concern as the Black Cats look to return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, but Breen insists that it should not be used an excuse if things do not go according to plan.

"We are a fit squad and we know we are going to have a lot of games coming up at this stage of the season," he said. "If we want to be successful then we've got to get used to spells of matches like this.

"I'm not saying we are used to getting into FA Cup semi-finals but, in the First Division, there's bound to be games coming thick and fast."

* Injury-jinxed winger Matt Piper eased his way back to action after a long-term injury as Sunderland's reserve side drew 0-0 with Wolves at Durham City last night.

The £3m signing from Leicester City featured in the first three games of the season, but has since had two knee operations.

Piper showed glimpses of his pace and strength on the wing before being substituted in the 63rd minute of a dreadful encounter.

Chances were at a premium as Sunderland's lightweight attack struggled to make any impact against an experienced defence.

Sunderland created their best chance in the 20th minute when full back Chris Scott found Jack Wanless at the far post only for the youngster to slide the ball wide. Grant Leadbitter hit a rasping long-range drive just off target, but otherwise there was little to enthuse the sparse crowd.

The solid defensive partnership of Patrick Cullens and Ben Clark snuffed out the Wolves attack though Sammy Clingan missed a great chance to seal victory.

Sunderland substitute Ryan Bell had the ball in the net in the 87th minute only to be ruled offside and, in the next minute, he hit a fierce drive just wide of the mark.

SUNDERLAND: Ingham, Scott, Dodds, Leadbitter (Bell 75), Clark, Collins, Piper (Flynn 63), Black, Wanless, Kingsberry, Toft.

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