SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy has invited USA striker Clint Mathis for a three-day trial.

Mathis, who can play in midfield or up front, is a free agent at the end of his contract with New York-New Jersey Metrostars in Major League Soccer.

The 27-year-old was leading scorer for the Metrostars in their 2003 season, scoring nine goals as an ever-present in 28 games.

A mystery Turkish club are also due to run the rule over Mathis, who has had trials with Leicester City, Glasgow Rangers and Bundesliga side Hannover.

His agent David Baldwin said: "Clint went over to Germany and has really impressed Hannover - they really want him.

"But Mick contacted us and said he would really like to see Clint after hearing very good things about him. Mick wants a top-class striker to help them get back into the Premiership."

However, Hannover coach Ralf Rangnick is hopeful Mathis will return to Germany. He said: "Clint had a good time here. I'm sure he'll be back with us in Turkey on Thursday at the latest, assuming Sunderland don't make him an offer he can't refuse."

McCarthy switched his attention to Mathis after pulling out of a deal for trialist Jamie Cureton. Cash-strapped McCarthy was put off by a demand for £150,000 in compensation from Cureton's former club, South Korean side Busan Icons.

McCarthy is weighing up a move for Coventry City's former Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon, who was on trial with the Black Cats last week.

Gordon, 31 next month, is out of contract at the end of the season and surplus to requirements at Highfield Road, although he played in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Watford.

Bryan Robson took Gordon to Boro from Crystal Palace in a £900,000 deal 5 years ago, but the ex-England Under-21 international suffered a cruciate injury and was released by Steve McClaren in the summer of 2002 after a loan spell with Cardiff.

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