Time is running out for Stead to make a move

The Black Cats boss has made Stead his primary transfer target as he seeks the scoring touch his Division One promotion hopefuls have lacked in recent weeks.

Huddersfield manager Peter Jackson is understood to be holding out for a £1m-plus deal, in the knowledge that 11 clubs watched Stead in action last weekend.

Sunderland have already had a bid worth £800,000 rejected by the Terriers and negotiations have been ongoing between the two clubs since.

But, with a deal still looking far from complete, McCarthy is not allowing his move for the ten-goal frontman to prey on his mind.

And he insists discussions to take Stead to the Stadium of Light are firmly in chairman Bob Murray's hands.

"I'll leave that with Bob because I don't get involved in that side of things," he said. "I just give the chairman a list of players and leave it to him.

"If the deal is not done then we will just have to get on with what we have got. I've tried to buy him and that is no secret.

"But if it doesn't come off then I will not be losing any sleep over it. Certain things you can do and certain things you can't, I learned a long time ago that you just have to get on with life."

McCarthy also revealed that he is unlikely to take giant Hungarian striker Peter Kovacs to Wearside on a permanent basis - for the time being at least.

Kovacs spent a few days' trial at the Academy of Light last week and his agent, Gary Stevens, has claimed Sunderland are interested in his player.

However, as Kovacs would struggle to be granted a work permit until Hungary have become members of the EU, no deal is likely to be done.

The Tromso forward's season is also at an end in Norway, so McCarthy will not be able to see the player in a competitive game until next year.

The Sunderland boss said: "Kovacs trained with us for two days and he is a huge fellow. He did OK but their season has finished now and we really could have done with seeing him in match action. It won't be a case of signing him, at least until we have seen him in action."

Meanwhile, McCarthy is weighing up who is going to be the replacement for Kevin Kyle at Crewe tomorrow. Kyle is struggling with a hip injury sustained in Scotland Under-21s' 1-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday night.

Michael Proctor and Tommy Smith are both vying to fill the big Scot's role up front alongside Marcus Stewart.

Midfielders Colin Healy and Alan Quinn are also doubtful, as is defender Gary Breen.

McCarthy, though, hopes the men who come in will stake a claim for the positions permanently by performing well.

"If players are missing then it is up to others to come in and prove their worth," he said.

"Everyone thinks they should be playing and now is the time for them to prove it."

Jason McAteer will be missing at Gresty Road after missing his comeback match for the reserves on Wednesday night with the flu.

Phil Babb made his return to action in midweek, but won't be ready for tomorrow.

He admitted: "It was good to get another 90 minutes under my belt. I have been having a lot of niggly problems from the operation I had in the summer.

"It's just a case of trying to get 100 per cent fit and every time I get to a certain level I get some sort of set-back. I'm looking forward to getting fully fit again.

"I felt good. It was a heavy pitch and a good test. They had some young, nippy lads up front so it was good to feel sharp at the end of the game as well. It was a good work-out.

"I think I need another couple of games. I think Saturday would probably be too soon, because it's been a while since I've played.

"Everyone at the club is itching to get in the team at the moment. We are there or thereabouts and a couple more good home performances and we will be flying.

"We are a good team. We have seen a lot of the contenders so far and we have acquitted ourselves well against them, so it's going to be a good run-in. Everyone at the club wants to do their bit to get the team back into the Premiership.

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