ASTON VILLA have given Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann an escape route out of First Division football - and he is sure to be the first of many out of the Stadium of Light exit doors.

The clubs agreed a £2.25m price for the player last night and Villa have received permission from the Wearsiders to talk terms.

There should not be any problems on the wages front and the transfer fee will come as a massive relief to the Black Cats who have been frantically struggling to ease their £26m-plus debts.

Once the deal goes through McCann, who has also been a target for Leeds United and Everton, is likely to be just the start of the summer exodus.

And it is expected that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will join McCann at Villa Park next season, as manager David O'Leary tries to turn Villa into a top six side.

Northern Echo SPORT revealed O'Leary's interest in McCann in May and the Irishman has long admired the talents of the former Everton star.

The Villa boss first tried to acquire his services when he was in charge at Leeds - but was put off my Sunderland's asking price.

However, with Sunderland's hands tied they have now been forced to sell and O'Leary has finally got his man and McCann has got the opportunity to make a quick return to the Premiership.

Earlier yesterday the signs were there that McCann was on the verge of a move away from the North-East when he was handed the No 41 shirt for the new season.

And he was not the only player to have been stripped of his number - most notably hot-shot Kevin Phillips lost his No 10 shirt.

The Black Cats' post-war record goalscorers stay on Wearside - as well as a host of other star names - now appears to be nearing an end.

And the announcement yesterday of Sunderland's squad numbers for the forthcoming season has confirmed the likelihood that Rangers target Phillips - along with Sorensen, Claudio Reyna, Michael Gray and Tore Andre Flo - is about to bid farewell to the club.

The former Watford man will wear 19 and McCarthy has handed former Ipswich Town striker Marcus Stewart the No 10.

Young Scottish international Kevin Kyle has got the No 9 shirt, which was worn by Flo last season, and a host of the club's promising youngsters have been allocated squad numbers.

Sorensen (now No 25), Gray (No 17), Reyna (No 24) and Flo (No 29) have all been stripped of the numbers they pulled on last year - but McCarthy insists it is not in a bid to force players out.

"As far as Kevin, Thomas and Gavin are concerned, for example, the squad numbers simply reflect the fact that these players are in ongoing discussions with various clubs and the likelihood is that they won't be at the football club that much longer," said the former Republic of Ireland boss.

"I've got to accept that. I've spoken to the players involved in changes in numbers before going public with the squad list and they don't have a problem with it."

With just over two weeks to go until Sunderland's first season back in the Nationwide League gets underway, the club's prize assets are all believed to be edging closer to moves.

As well as Sorensen, McCann and Phillips, skipper Gray is wanted by Fulham and Reyna is being chased by Blackburn. Serie A new-boys Siena are still considering making a bid for Flo.

The seemingly imminent departures of the big six has led to many players swapping numbers.

McCarthy has left the No 8 shirt - previously worn by McCann - open in the hope that he will be able to bring in new blood once his star names leave the club.

But the Sunderland chief looks like missing out in the race to snap up Manchester City front-man Shaun Goater.

Sunderland's League rivals Reading have had a bid accepted for the 33-year-old, who is due to discuss personal terms at the Madjeski Stadium. However, Goater, currently in Denmark on a pre-season tour, is keeping his cards close to his chest and he said: "I have not thought about the offer."

Reading have recently pulled out of the chase for another Sunderland target - Wimbledon's David Connolly.

McCarthy was at Hillsborough on Tuesday night to watch Sheffield Wednesday take on Den Haag - with Owls' striker Shefki Kuqi believed to on his wanted list.

Owls' boss Chris Turner was at the McAlpine Stadium to watch Sunderland last night, but left at half-time.

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