MICK McCARTHY last night backed striker Tommy Smith to follow in the great goalscoring footsteps of the last player to join Sunderland from Watford.

When Kevin Phillips left Wearside in the summer to join Southampton, his sale brought to an end a remarkable career at the Stadium of Light. Phillips became the club's record post-war goalscorer after Peter Reid took a £525,000 gamble on the front-man from Watford in July 1997.

Now, six years on, current Sunderland manager McCarthy has completed the bargain basement move for another Hornets star.

And the Black Cats chief is convinced Smith, who has agreed terms until the end of the season, can recapture the early promise which led to him being touted as one of the future stars of the game not so long ago.

"If Tommy's half as successful as the other fella (Phillips) then he'll be alright won't he?" said McCarthy.

"In terms of Tommy's potential what I will say is that a few seasons ago he was being talked about in glowing reference.

"It just happens for you sometimes at football clubs and sometimes it does not.

"He has done very well at Watford and he has looked a good player while he has been training with us."

McCarthy made steps to snap up Smith after he impressed during a two-week long trial.

The 23-year-old turned down an improved contract at Watford in the summer in a bid to rejuvenate his career.

Sunderland have agreed a compensation fee - believed to be around £100,000 - for Smith, as Watford are entitled to a sum because he is under the age of 24.

But McCarthy revealed the former England Under-21 international will not make his debut against Reading tomorrow, despite putting pen to paper at the club.

"Tommy's played a lot of games for Watford and he has a decent goalscoring record," said McCarthy.

"I think the chances we create will mean he gets his fair share of goals if he does sign. He offers us something different.

"I think Tommy may have a little point to prove as well. He has got good experience for a guy of 23.

"What's nice is that when people in the game say to you 'well he's a good signing.' It is just nice for them to recognise that.

"He was offered a deal at Watford but there comes a time when you have to move on. I've experienced that myself.

"He hasn't got any better challenge and higher profile than with this team in this league.

"Even though he has signed he will not play on Saturday because he has not had a pre-season under his belt.

"It often happens when players are not at a club that they miss out on match fitness, that is the case with Tommy."

McCarthy knows his side face a crucial period in their bid to bounce straight back to the Premiership, starting tomorrow.

After taking on managerless Reading, Sunderland face vital matches with Ipswich Town (home), Sheffield United (away) and then Cardiff City (home).

But McCarthy, whose side have not won in three matches, is not too concerned about the opposition. He said: "The home games are very important.

"But what is more important is that we have not lost some of the good will we had gained from supporters after our Cup defeat to Huddersfield.

"All games are big for us because all sides playing against Sunderland in this League makes it a very big game."

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