SUNDERLAND are ready to fight in a bid to keep flying winger David Bellion from making a move to Manchester United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants the Frenchman to make the switch to Old Trafford before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

It is understood the Red Devils' reserve team boss Ricky Sbragia, a former Black Cats coach, has recommended Bellion to Ferguson, who is prepared to pay £1.5m for the player.

However Sunderland are desperate to hang onto the quick forward for the remainder of his current contract, which runs out at the end of the season.

And in that time manager Howard Wilkinson hopes to keep his relegation threatened side in the Premiership and convince Bellion his future lies on Wearside.

And in a statement yesterday a club spokeswoman said: "The club have seen the speculation in the press but we do not envisage any move for the player in the transfer window.

"Furthermore the player is contracted to the club and it is not in the club's best interests to allow the player to leave."

Bellion has been struggling with ankle and virus problems recently but he is expected to be fit to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The former AS Cannes player has made just three League starts and scored only one goal since moving in August 2001.

Bellion is rated by Sunderland at around £4m and United are expected to to try to tempt Wilkinson into selling for a fee considerably less.

Should the 20-year-old stay at the Stadium of Light for the rest of the season, but not sign a new contract, a tribunal would decide how much an interested club would have to pay to acquire his services.

Meanwhile, Wilkinson has arranged to boost his coaching staff for two weeks with the addition of former Denmark goalkeeper Lars Hogh.

Hogh, who is head of sport at Danish side Odense, is due to arrive initially to help goalkeeper coach Tim Carter in a consultancy capacity.

And Wilkinson is convinced the 43-year-old's knowledge of the game will be of great benefit to the Sunderland squad.

He said: "I know of Lars' work and he has some interesting ideas about training which I want to look at.

"I met him before Christmas and we agreed that he would come over and he'll work with the goalkeepers and the outfield players while he is here."

Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is a big admirer of Hogh's work after spending time together at Odense.

l Sunderland midfielders Stephen Capper and Sean Thornton have been selected for the Republic of Ireland Squad for the Under-20 Pre-World Cup Preparation Tournament which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from January 20-24. Other teams involved in the tournament are the United Arab Emirates, France and Korea.

Thornton, meanwhile, is attracting the interest of Burnley boss Stan Ternant.

The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder has been unable to force his way into the Black Cats side since making the move from Prenton Park in the summer. Ternant is hoping to take Thornton on loan.

l Sunderland target Lee Bowyer is expected to complete a move to West Ham United in the next 48 hours.

Leeds midfielder Bowyer, who was wanted by Sunderland boss Wilkinson, held talks at Upton Park yesterday and he looks set to put pen to paper soon.

Hammers' managing director Paul Aldridge said: "We had a very good meeting and when the paperwork is completed - which we expect to be done - the deal will go through in the next 24-48 hours."

Under-fire West Ham boss Glenn Roeader added: "Everything went well and we expect things to be finalised sooner rather than later."

l Tonight's reserve game at Blackburn has been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

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