McCarthy is ready to feed the Goat

Fans' favourite Goater has struggled to command a first team place at Maine Road following the arrivals of the £20m Robbie Fowler and Nicolas Anelka strike force.

And the Bermudan-born forward, who scored 85 goals in 166 League appearances for City, has asked boss Kevin Keegan for a move.

McCarthy's stumbling block, however, could be finding the funds to secure his services. Goater is likely to cost upwards of £400,000 as Bristol City are due 20 per cent of any fee.

Goater has admitted that he is more than happy to play in Division One and would relish the chance to fire Sunderland back to the Premiership.

Wolves and Ipswich are also believed to be interested, but McCarthy would like to see Goater, who cost £4m from Bristol City in 1998 and still has a year remaining on his contract, arrive at the Stadium of Light when star striker Kevin Phillips eventually departs Wearside.

The hot-shot is wanted by Tottenham to replace the released Teddy Sheringham and Phillips is keen to remain a Premiership player following Sunderland's relegation from the top-flight.

North-East neighbours Middlesbrough are also thought to be interested in former England international Phillips and both Arsenal and Portsmouth have been linked with interest.

Black Cats boss McCarthy knows he has to reduce the size of his playing staff before he can make his own plunge into the transfer market.

And McCarthy admits he has already spoken to a number of clubs about a few of Sunderland's prize assets.

"I've had a few calls about a few players - the ones you'd expect, the so-called top players - so there is interest in them and I know they want to play in the Premier League," said McCarthy.

"Those callers have just been sounding things out at this stage but it goes to show that there are people interested in them.

"I've tried to encourage clubs I've spoken to about players to get the business done as quickly as possible because otherwise we have to carry on paying the salaries for longer. And the longer they leave it the longer I can't bring anyone in."

As well as the big interest in Phillips, giant Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and midfielder Gavin McCann have attracted potential buyers.

The trio are likely to be playing their last match in a Sunderland shirt on Sunday when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light.

Ironically, Sorensen could become an Arsenal player during the close season, with manager Arsene Wenger a keen admirer.

And the Danish international has spoken recently of his determination to make a move to a club challenging for honours - and with Arsenal fitting that bill, champions Manchester United have also been linked.

McCann, meanwhile, is still thought to be wanted by Everton boss David Moyes.

Once McCarthy has offloaded some of his best players, he will then focus on bolstering his squad ahead of their First Division promotion push.

As well as Goater, the former Ireland boss wants Huddersfield's Martin Smith, Wimbledon's David Connolly and Celtic's Colin Healy.

And McCarthy admits he has taken a look at Lens midfielder Ferdinand Coly, who is on loan at Birmingham.

Coly, 29, is free to leave Lens in the summer and is eyeing a switch to England. But McCarthy insists there has been no contact as yet.

He said: "I've watched Birmingham reserves two or three times and Coly has done well. I like him. He impressed me but that's as far as it goes, I'm always looking at players."

Hard-working midfielder John Robinson, who has just been given a free transfer at Charlton after 12 years at the Valley, could also be a new target.

* Sheffield Wednesday are keen on acquiring the services of Sunderland goalkeeper Jon Kennedy.

Kennedy, who made a name for himself at Worksop Town, is out of contract in the summer and Owls boss Chris Turner wants the player as cover for experienced Kevin Pressman after keeper Paul Evans was one of eight freed from Hillsborough yesterday.

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