JULIO ARCA has set his sights on a double delight for club and country this year.

The South American wants to help Sunderland clinch promotion to the Premiership by May before hopefully going for gold in August with Argentina at the Olympics.

Arca did not play in the qualifying games this month but former Sunderland teammate Nicolas Medina did.

The skilful former Argentinos Juniors star is hoping to convince the national team's boss, Marcelo Biesla, that he is worth his place at the Athens Games by turning in impressive displays for the Black Cats.

"It may not be winning the World Cup but it is certainly something as big as that. I don't know what it is like to win such a thing but it is one of my ambitions," said the 22-year-old.

"Promotion with Sunderland is the first thing on my mind and then it's getting into the Olympics and winning it.

"The lads qualified for the Olympics and we will now just have to wait and see what happens.

"I have to show my true form for my club and hopefully I will be selected for my country. If I get the opportunity to play in the Olympics then I can't turn it down."

If Arca does receive the call-up he will miss the start of Sunderland's campaign - whether it be in the top-flight or Division One - as the football side of the games is held between August 11-28.

But the attacking full-back believes it would be a chance he would have to grab, especially as Biesla is in charge of both the Under-23 Olympic team and the senior squad.

Arca, who has not pulled on the famous light-blue and white shirt since his Under-20s days, admits his long term aim is to become a household name in his own country.

"It's been a long time since I played for the Under-20s and now it is nice to think I might be in the Under-23s squad because it is like the first team," said Arca.

"Every player who plays in the Under-23 team either plays in Europe or plays for the full national team, so it is going to be good in Athens.

"It is also the same manager as the full team so it is a perfect chance for me to show him I'm good enough and then I have to set my sights on the World Cup."

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy is still playing the left-back in his less preferred winger role.

And Arca is likely to stay there if he continues in his current form, having scored three goals in as many games going into today's home match with Preston.

But he insists he would like to revert to his more defensive role at some point this season.

"I am happy at the moment, even though I'm not playing in the position I want to," said Arca, who now has five goals to his name.

"The manager has told me why he wants to use me at left wing and I know that defenders have been playing really well, so it's difficult for him to change that.

"I'm doing well in this position and I have to continue to do that. If I get the chance to go back at left-back then that will be better for me."

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