MICHAEL GRAY'S proposed switch to Marseille was on the verge of falling through last night, writes Paul Fraser.

The news will come as a severe blow to the Sunderland full-back, who had been hoping to move to the French club and play his part in a Champions League campaign. Marseille coach Alain Perrin had targeted Gray after holding talks with agent Willie McKay. But it is understood that Sunderland and Marseille could not come to an agreement over a fee for the player, who was set to sign on a 12-month loan deal.

If a deal for the player is to be brokered then it must be completed by 5pm today before the closure of the transfer window.

And now Gray, who was also attracting interest from Portsmouth and Leeds, faces a fight for his place at the Stadium of Light after the emergence of Julio Arca as a left-back.

Meanwhile, defender Gary Breen last night reassured fans that Sunderland can bounce back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

After losing their opening First Division games to Nottingham Forest and Millwall, the Black Cats have taken a maximum nine points haul from their last three matches.

That sort of form has pushed Sunderland to within two points of an automatic promotion place.

And Breen said: "I think to win our last three games is good and we have got a squad that is capable of challenging for promotion.

"It may be a young side but they are all showing plenty of character. They are rolling their sleeves up and it bodes well for the future."

The Republic of Ireland international has helped Sunderland keep three consecutive clean sheets. But he believes there is still more to come, he said: "I am still not to the match fitness level that I would like to be at.

"It's been easy to settle in because all the players are nice lads and it's such a big club and it's nice to be back working with the manager after working under him for Ireland. But it's a long season and we can't get carried away because we have got a lot of young players and we have to keep our feet grounded."

And Breen, who joined on a free transfer this summer after being released by West Ham, also revealed his belief that the passing of the transfer window will help Sunderland become more settled. He said: "I sensed the players were relieved when the matches came around because we are footballers and we want to get paid for playing football.

"We just leave the other things like offloading players to the club itself. I think it's easier for the manager now because he knows what he is going to be working with and which players have gone and who are staying."