SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Mart Poom, pencilled in as manager Mick McCarthy's new No 1, is set to miss the start of pre-season training.

The Estonian is due to be on internatonal duty in the Baltic Cup when the relegated Black Cats return on July 2 to prepare for life in Division One.

Estonia take on Lithuania and Latvia in Tallinn in the five-day tournament and 75-cap Poom is needed.

The 31-year-old, signed by former boss Howard Wilkinson from Derby in January for £2.5m, will kick off next term as Sunderland's first-choice keeper if Thomas Sorensen leaves the Stadium of Light.

Danish international Sorensen's exit would force McCarthy to seek cover for Poom and Michael Ingham.

Jurgen Macho, out of contract at the end of the month, is joining Chelsea, Thomas Myhre has been told he can go on a free, and Jon Kennedy and Craig Turns have been released.

l Livingston yesterday admitted they have been priced out of a move for unsettled Celtic defender Stephen Crainey, who is said to be attracting Sunderland's interest.

Celtic are demanding £500,000 for the 22-year-old Glaswegian, and until Mick McCarthy raises transfer funds, Sunderland cannot be considered as bidders.

Promoted Leicester, Celtic boss Martin O'Neill's former club, are also understood to have been alerted to Crainey's availability.