MICK McCARTHY has told Sunderland striker Tommy Smith to keep up the good work and to set his sights on a first-team place, writes PAUL FRASER.

Smith, who was without a club at the start of the season, is nearing full fitness after a string of outings for the Black Cats' reserves side. The latest of which ended in a 4-1 drubbing at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, but manager McCarthy is happy with the way Smith is coming along.

The 23-year-old forward is yet to start a First Division match for Sunderland and has made just two appearances from the bench since putting pen-to-paper on a deal until the end of the season.

And McCarthy explained that the former Watford man is having to play catch-up on all the pre-season training he missed out on.

"Tommy has done very well and has shown us that he is a good player," said the Stadium of Light chief. "He has had a couple of games for the reserves now and he is getting there with his fitness.

"He found himself in the same position as Gary Breen and Colin Healy when he came here, in that he hadn't played much football, he hadn't had a pre-season. That hasn't helped him.

"He is having to get fit on the hoof, but he is making progress. It's a case of needs must at the minute. It is good to have that kind of player."

On the two occasions McCarthy, whose current front pairing of Marcus Stewart and Kevin Kyle have scored 11 goals between them, has brought Smith into first team action the former England Under 21 man has been played out wide. And the Sunderland boss is convinced that the ex-Hornets star will become a big player in the side - wherever he is played.

He said: "He is versatile. He has played in both the wide areas and he is comfortable in either. It is nice to have that option available to us. But I see him predominantly as a front player. If we want to go 4-3-3 he will be useful."

Meanwhile, McCarthy has indicated he could turn midfielder Alan Quinn's temporary switch into a permanent one.

Quinn has arrived on Wearside from Sheffield Wednesday in an initial three-month loan deal, with unwanted striker Michael Reddy going the other way.

And McCarthy admits the deal was good for both clubs, he said: "Alan's a player I've admired for a long time.

"He's someone who can play in wide areas or as a central midfielder, he's a very good footballer who will fit into the way we play.

"The deal was mutually beneficial because Michael Reddy is not in my plans. I sat down with him and told him he could go out and find another club and there's no point dressing it up.

"Alan's out of contract at the end of the season and so is Michael Reddy, so it's a good deal for everyone."