IN-FORM striker David Connolly is being lined up as a replacement for Sunderland hot-shot Kevin Phillips by manager Mick McCarthy.

Newly-promoted Portsmouth are the latest club to be linked with a move for Phillips, who looks sure to be one of the first out of the door in the summer.

And Northern Echo Sport understands McCarthy is considering a swoop for Republic of Ireland front-man Connolly in a bid to fill the void left by the Wearsiders' record post-war goalscorer.

The 25-year-old has scored 20 goals in the First Division this season, despite Wimbledon's failure to push for a play-off place.

McCarthy, who led the Irish to last summer's World Cup, also helped develop Connolly into becoming a force on the international stage.

The player has scored eight goals in 34 caps for his country, and could become part of McCarthy's major reconstruction of his playing staff during the summer.

As well as Phillips, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, midfielders Gavin McCann and Kevin Kilbane, defender Jody Craddock, winger David Bellion and striker Tor Andre Flo may all head through the Stadium of Light exit door before the start of next season.

Just yesterday Sorensen hinted he had been told he could leave, with Arsenal and Manchester United among his admirers.

Everton, along with Middlesbrough, are known to have taken an interest in Kilbane and the Toffees are also tracking McCann and Craddock.

Frenchman Bellion is still expected to make a summer move to Old Trafford for a nominal fee, as he is out of contract in the summer. While Sunderland are likely to be willing to off-load Norwegian Flo for a cut-price fee.

Providing McCarthy trims the size of his playing staff he will then step up bids for two other players he had at his disposal for Ireland.

Celtic midfielder Colin Healy is available on a free transfer. But Sunderland will face competition for his signature, with Preston and Everton thought to be interested.

McCarthy would also like to have Manchester City defender Richard Dunne in the North-East, but Kevin Keegan is likely to be asking for over £1m for the 23-year-old centre-back.

Another player on McCarthy's shopping list is former Sunderland forward Martin Smith, who remains a close friend of skipper Michael Gray. Smith spent seven seasons at Roker Park before joining Sheffield United in 1999. He then joined Huddersfield Town and has remained at the McAlpine Stadium ever since.

The 28-year-old, born in Sunderland, has been in fine form for the Terriers in the Second Division this season.

Meanwhile, Sunderland's young midfielder Sean Thornton could earn his first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland next week.

Thornton has been placed on stand-by for the friendly with Norway after impressing for McCarthy's men.

The youngster has been a regular for the Under-21s sides and clubmate Kilbane is convinced the former Tranmere man will be able to adapt to the pace of international football.

Kilbane said: "Sean has been thrust into Premiership football under difficult circumstances this season but he's done quite well. I'm sure he'll be an Ireland player in the future."

* Striker Kevin Kyle has been named in the Scotland Under-21 squad to face Austria on Tuesday.

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