KEVIN KYLE has warned his Sunderland teammates not to become too distracted by the FA Cup.

The Black Cats' reward for overcoming Ipswich Town in the fourth round on Saturday was a home draw with Premiership outfit Birmingham City on the weekend of February 14/15.

But Kyle is determined to ensure the squad switch their focus immediately back to the primary goal of a return to the top-flight.

Sunderland sit fourth in the Division One table - four points adrift of an automatic promotion place - and they face a Preston North End on Saturday who are also battling hard for a play-off spot.

"I don't think the league this season is as good as it has been in previous years," said Kyle. "The last time we played in the league we lost but so did a lot of the teams in and around us.

"That was frustrating, getting on the bus and knowing that, had we won, we could have been third.

"We are still sitting in a healthy position with the likes of Sheffield United, West Brom, Norwich and West Ham to play at home.

"We have to go to places like Wigan and Reading too, so there's no reason why we can't see these teams off and try to get to the top of the league.

"It is possible to do that, to go clear by a few points. We have the support, they help us every weekend. We just have to do it, there's no reason why we can't.

"I don't think we will get a better chance to go up than this season. We don't want to be in the play-offs, we want to win automatic promotion.

"It's nice to be doing well in the Cup because it helps to keep the confidence ticking along. But we want promotion more than anything else."

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy was pleased to see his side pitted against Birmingham - for the first time in the FA Cup since 1984.

The tie means the scheduled league game with Gillingham will have to be rearranged, but McCarthy said: "They'll be thinking it's a tough draw. It's a good one for us - a home tie against a Premiership side.

"Perhaps had it been Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United, people would have been more excited, but it's an exciting tie for the fans and one they might respond to. I don't think Birmingham will be that thrilled with the draw.

"We've got a good record at home and I don't see why we should be concerned about the game. It's one for us to get our teeth into."

Crystal Palace have confirmed they will try to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Myhre on a permanent deal.

The Norwegian's three-month loan deal at Selhurst Park came to an end after Saturday's Division One match with Bradford City.

And now Palace boss Iain Dowie has admitted he is exploring the possibility of capturing Myhre on a full-time basis.

"We will be working over the next few days at hopefully sorting out the situation regarding Thomas Myhre as his loan has ended," he said. "He has done really well for me and we will have further news on this shortly."

Myhre is one of three players - Michael Gray and Michael Reddy are the other two - expected to leave Wearside before Saturday.

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