SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy has been alerted to the possibility of pairing Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper with former Riverside teammate Steve Vickers.

McCarthy has already had talks with ex-Millwall colleague Cooper, who is out of contract and mulling over the offer of a one-year deal from Boro boss Steve McClaren.

Now Vickers' availability has come to McCarthy's attention as he looks to rebuild his defence on the cheap following relegation.

Vickers is a free agent at the end of his contract with Birmingham City and is seeking a one-year deal before hanging up his boots.

The 35-year-old centre-back has kept his family home in the North-East while commuting to the Midlands for the past 18 months since his move from Boro to St Andrews in a £500,000 deal.

Cooper, a year older, is similarly committed to staying in the north but is understood to be looking for a two-year contract.

Cash-strapped McCarthy, under orders to slash his wage bill to tackle club debts of over £26m, is searching for central defenders after telling Emerson Thome, Phil Babb and Joachim Bjorklund that they can leave on free transfers.

McCarthy wants seasoned replacements for the challenge of winning promotion at the first attempt and a Cooper-Vickers partnership could be the answer.

Vickers yesterday confirmed: "I'm a free agent now and it's just a matter of seeing what happens. I'm only looking for another year and you just hope that someone wants your experience.''

McCarthy this week revealed his hope that he will be able to rely on the experience of Claudio Reyna in midfield next season.

But yesterday he admitted that Sunderland's financial worries will force them to cash in on the USA skipper - who missed most of last season with a cruciate injury - if they receive the right offer.

McCarthy said: "He is one who was made available for transfer. If a club comes in and wants to buy him, you might find he wants to play in the Premier League.

"But, to be fair to Claudio, he likes it here.

"As I've said, if he was to come back and be fit and available, I would be delighted to have a player of his calibre."

Meanwhile, Manchester United are believed to be ready to test Middlesbrough's resolve to hold on to skipper Gareth Southgate by offering up to £5m for the England defender.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has joined manager McClaren in declaring the club's determination to keep Southgate at the Riverside.

The 32-year-old centre-back, who has also been linked with Newcastle and Liverpool, has spoken of a burning desire to play in the Champions League and, although he has two years to run on his contract, Boro must fear he will demand a move if there is a concrete bid from Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson would make life difficult for former assistant McClaren, who told Southgate during end-of-season talks that he is the cornerstone in Boro's plans.

After the departures of Laurent Blanc and David May and an injury to Wes Brown, Ferguson is desperately short of central defensive cover and is understood to see Southgate as the ideal partner for fellow England star Rio Ferdinand.

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