Myhre on the mend

Fears were raised that Myhre would miss Saturday's home game with West Ham - Howard Wilkinson's first in charge of the Black Cats - and plunge the new manager into a keeper crisis.

Wilkinson is already without Denmark's Thomas Sorensen for up to three months with a dislocated elbow and can ill afford losing Myhre, who played through the pain barrier in Norway's Euro 2004 qualifying win in Romania on Saturday.

But Wilkinson, who replaced the sacked Peter Reid last week, was yesterday more optimistic about Myhre's chances of being fit for the Hammers clash after speaking to the player and the Norwegian team doctor.

All now depends on the outcome of the examination, but Myhre has already been ruled out of Norway's Group Two qualifier at home to Bosnia tomorrow in case he aggravates the injury.

Sunderland's transfer-listed third-choice keeper, Austrian Jurgen Macho, is on stand-by and the Wearsiders have the option of recalling Northern Ireland Under-21 international Michael Ingham from his loan with Stockport County as further cover.

Meanwhile, Sunderland were last night being linked with a New Year move for Bradford City striker Ashley Ward.

The Bantams, who were close to going out of existence this summer and have only recently come out of administration, want 31-year-old Ward off their wage bill.

Wilkinson, told by chairman Bob Murray that he has no money to spend, could offer Wearsider Michael Proctor, currently on loan at Valley Parade, in a bid to seal a swap deal.

Bradford boss Nicky Law has been impressed with 22-year-old Proctor and has expressed an interest in extending his loan.

Law said: "I'm surprised he hasn't had more of a look-in at Sunderland, given their lack of goals.

"But I hope Howard Wilkinson lets him spend a bit more time with us.''

* Sunderland centre-backs Jody Craddock and Stanislav Varga have underlined their determination to impress Howard Wilkinson and new assistant boss Steve Cotterill.

Craddock, Sunderland's player of the year last season, had been recalled by Reid because of an injury to Joachim Bjorklund after being left out at the start of the season.

"It's a clean slate for everyone,'' said Craddock. "I was very disappointed not to be in the team for the first game at Blackburn.

"Now I'm back in the side and I don't want to give up that place to anyone.

"It is up to everyone here to prove themselves to the new manager, not only me, and everyone will work their socks off to show him they should be in the side for his first game."

Slovakian Varga, who was out of favour with the Reid regime, said: "My plan is to keep training and make sure I am available for the first team. Then we will see what happens.''

* Sunderland midfielder Thomas Butler will join Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad after playing for the Under-21s tonight.

Ireland face Switzerland at Buckley Park, Kilkenny, in their second European Championship qualifier.

McCarthy has lost three of his players through injury - Andy O'Brien of Newcastle, Jeff Kenna and Rory Delap - and has also called up Arsenal's Graham Barratt.

Butler already has one senior cap, and Under-21 manager Don Givens said their call from McCarthy was just reward for their efforts. ''This is a good boost for both of them,'' said Givens.

''I try to impress on my players that if they do well in the Under-21s then they will get a chance with the seniors, and this goes to prove the point.''

* West Brom's former Sunderland striker Danny Dichio has been transfer-listed after failing to cement a regular starting spot in the Barclaycard Premiership this season. The 27-year-old has slipped down boss Gary Megson's pecking order and has only scored eight times in 33 games since his £1.25m switch from Wearside.

Megson said: ''It was a club decision but it's the right thing for both parties. His family home is in London and he's not in the side at the moment. It won't affect his working life here but we'll just wait and see if anybody's got an interest in him."

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