CHARLTON Athletic and Fulham are chasing Sunderland skipper Michael Gray in the hope of clinching a cut-price £1m deal.

The Black Cats, anxious to ease debts of over £26m following relegation last season, are willing to sacrifice Wearsider Gray.

The 28-year-old left-back has been with his home-town club all of his career and amassed more than 400 appearances.

But the former England international hinted shortly before Sunderland's drop into Division One was confirmed that he could be forced to move on.

Charlton this week granted left-back Paul Konchesky's transfer request and Gray is seen at The Valley as a potential replacement.

He will always have a special place in the hearts of Charlton fans after his fatal failure from the penalty spot in their Wembley play-off final shoot-out victory over Sunderland five years ago.

Many Wearside fans have never forgiven Gray, who has increasingly become a target for the boo-boys as Sunderland have gone into a spiral of decline.

A move south would be a wrench for Gray, who has also been linked with Middlesbrough and Manchester City.

But with Charlton and Fulham offering Premiership football, and Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy desperate to raise transfer funds to begin rebuilding his squad, a parting of the ways could be mutually beneficial.

The sales of striker Kevin Phillips and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, Sunderland's prize assets, hold the key to McCarthy's planned overhaul.

Boro lead the race for Phillips, who wants to keep his family home in the North-East, but the Teessiders are not prepared to meet Sunderland's £4m valuation.

And Phillips, Sunderland's record post-war goalscorer, admitted he could yet be reporting back for pre-season training with the Black Cats on July 2.

He said: "As things stand, I'm still a Sunderland player and to be honest it wouldn't surprise me if, when the squad reports back for pre-season training, I'm back with them.

"I don't have a problem with that, although this a strange time for me, because I know the club are looking to sell me.

"But as long as I remain a Sunderland player I'll always do whatever job I'm asked to do, professionally."

Meanwhile, McCarthy insists he is undaunted by the prospect of kicking off the new campaign away to Nottingham Forest, play-off semi-finalists last season.

Sunderland's first home game is against Millwall, the only other club McCarthy has managed.

The former Republic of Ireland boss admits his men face a tough start, but said: "We'll be ready for the challenge.

"It'll be a hard start as both are good sides, but I wasn't too bothered about whether we began at home or away.

"The Forest game will be tough because they were contenders last season and they'll be hoping to go one better this time round. They're a good side.

"The Millwall game holds extra significance for me. I'm looking forward to it, but it's a game we need to win.

"We need to give our fans something to cheer about and set the ball rolling.

"The release of the fixtures always brings enthusiasm and we'll have to make sure we're ready. That will come with a good pre-season and I'm looking forward to that as well.''