ENGLAND international Gavin McCann rocked Sunderland last night by asking for a transfer.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who has missed only one Premiership game this season, made his request to Wearside boss Peter Reid, the man who gave the Blackpool-born player his big chance.

Reid said last night: "I can confirm that Gavin McCann has asked for a move.

"His transfer request will be put before the board at its next meeting in January."

McCann was a virtual unknown when Reid paid Everton £500,000 for him in November 1998, having being introduced to the Goodison Park first team by former manager Howard Kendall, a close friend of Reid, who gave the young player a glowing recommendation.

McCann's career blossomed at Sunderland, winning the supporters' Young Player of the Year award in the 1999-2000 season, even though his campaign was brought to a premature halt by a serious knee injury, which required surgery.

McCann, however, bounced back, returning for the home victory over Everton in December last year, and his eye-catching progress was rewarded when he was selected for England, coming on as a substitute against Spain.

The player has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 12 months and has built a reputation for being one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premiership.

After Sunderland's last home victory over Leeds, in which McCann was outstanding, Reid said: "When the boy is like that there are not many better midfield players in the country - he was awesome."

Certainly there would be no shortage of interested clubs if Sunderland granted McCann's transfer request.

On current prices a £5m valuation would not be too far off the mark.

The reason for McCann's dissatisfaction at Sunderland is unclear - the player shies away from publicity and very rarely gives interviews. It can only be surmised that the midfielder is unhappy about his current contract, which was drawn up before he became an integral part of the first team.

Reid has the highest regard for McCann's playing ability, but he has proved in the past that he will not stand in the way of players who do not want to commit themselves to the club.

He allowed Scottish international Don Hutchison to join West Ham United for £5.25m this season when the midfielder became unhappy with his lot on Wearside.

* Reid is still chasing Glasgow Rangers' unsettled United States international midfielder Claudio Reyna, who was the subject of an unsuccessful £2.5m bid last week.

Reyna has turned down the offer of a new contract, indicating that he wants to play Premiership football.

Reid confirmed: "This is an on-going thing and hopefully we can bring it to a conclusion."

* Sunderland and First Division club West Bromwich Albion yesterday agreed a £1m transfer fee for former England Under-21 international striker Danny Dichio, who travelled to the Hawthorns to discuss personal terms.

Dichio, who scored four goals while on loan at the Midlands club, wants to move because of family reasons.

* Hammers boss Glenn Roeder is hoping this afternoon's occasion spurs Don Hutchison on to put in the kind of performance that earned him the Player of the Year award during his solitary campaign with the Black Cats and insists that there is plenty more to come from his club record signing.

''It's a big game for Don. I'm sure he would like to go back and show the people of Sunderland how much they are missing him,'' said Roeder.

''He's been reminding the lads all week how important the game is to him, not that they need reminding, because they are all fired up to do well on Saturday.

''It's strange, because going back to your old club can often be a confidence booster. Players booed by their old fans are usually players who did well at the club and are also doing well at their new club."

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