TRIALIST Peter Kovacs has flown back to his homeland after completing his spell with Sunderland.

The Hungarian striker hopes to be back on Wearside in January when he aims to persuade manager Mick McCarthy to try to make the move permanent.

However, as revealed in Northern Echo SPORT on Wednesday, Kovacs' dream of playing in England looks a distant one.

Should the 25-year-old impress McCarthy enough, he will have to apply for a work permit as Hungary will not become a member of the EU until next year.

And Kovacs has not made a sufficient number of appearances for his country, making a £500,000 switch from his Norwegian club Tromso difficult, as he fails to fulfil the Home Office's criteria.

Tromso - who also have former Middlesbrough and Newcastle target Morten Gamst Pedersen on their playing staff - are in the midst of a cash crisis and are desperate to sell their prize assets to ease their financial difficulties.

It is thought that the club, who avoided relegation from Norway's Elite league on the last day when they defeated Rosenborg, would accept cut-price bids for their stars.

That means Sunderland are likely to lose out on the signature of Kovacs, who would not be able to arrive at the Stadium of Light until next season at least.

McCarthy is desperate to solve his goal-scoring problems on Wearside and is still trying to sign Huddersfield front-man Jon Stead.

Stead has starred for the Terriers in Division Three this season, scoring 11 goals.

Sunderland have had two bids rejected - both worth £800,000 - for the 20-year-old forward and are considering a renewed bid.

The Black Cats' front-men have struggled to score of late. Marcus Stewart has two goals in 13 matches, while big Scot Kevin Kyle is without a goal in seven.

* The Stadium of Light could play host to a Champions League final in the next few years.

Sunderland's impressive stadium was yesterday accepted onto UEFA's Stadia list of approved venues.

The club's vice-chairman John Fickling said: "We applied some time ago to UEFA to become one of their approved venues and feel very proud and privileged that this application has been successful.

"Such high-profile games would provide a tremendous boost to our city and the region."

Read more about Sunderland here.