SUNDERLAND strike target Pierre-Yves Andre has revealed why he snubbed the Wearsiders - because he didn't want to quit France.

Andre, also on Middlesbrough and Rangers' wanted list, signed for French league leaders Nantes from Bastia this week in a bargain £1m deal.

The 26-year-old marksman explained why he had turned down an offer from the Black Cats and said: "I chose Nantes for sporting and family reasons.

"Nantes interested me because they will play in the Champions league next season. "But joining a French team was also important because I think it's a little too early for me to leave for a foreign country.

Nantes have followed me for years, ever since I started my career." Boss Peter Reid, having been pipped by Boro for Slovakian international Szilard Nemeth, has now seen two top strikers slip through his fingers in recent months.

But Reid remains determined to bring at least one top class striker to the Stadium of Light before next season. And he could consider renewing his interest in Norwegian goalscorer Thorsten Helstad, who scored FIVE goals for Brann this week at Stromsgodset.

Reid and Leeds boss David O'Leary have both expressed an interest in Helstad this season while Wolves are also in the market. Gary Rowell has added his voice to the calls for summer reinforcements as Reid weighs up the transfer scene.

Former striker star Rowell, talking in the latest issue of The Wearside Roar, said: "The fact we haven't won at home since we beat Ipswich on the first day of the year speaks volumes.

"Personally, I feel we have fallen into the same trap as we did last season by trying to make do with a squad that simply isn't big enough.

"It's significant that the injuries and suspensions to key players have coincided almost exactly with our dip in form. When everybody is fit and available I'm sure we are a match for most teams in the league, but we must have greater strength in depth."

Added Rowell: "While seventh or eighth place in the Premiership is quite respectable, and something we were only dreaming about not very long ago, you can understand the frustration of our supporters if we miss out on Europe again - particularly when expectations were so high at the half-way stage."

l Sunderland chairman Bob Murray has offered to help bail out the ailing National Stadium project. Murray, who masterminded the £40m Stadium of Light development, is willing to get involved with the government's Wembley committee looking at ways to rescue the cash-hit scheme.

He said yesterday: "I am totally committed to Sunderland but it would be ridiculous not to offer advice and guidance to the committee.

"We have the experience here of building the best and largest new stadium in the country.

"We were very hands-on throughout the project to ensure we designed, constructed and delivered a world-class venue."

l Sunderland are gearing up for a record crowd when the final of the UEFA Under-16 championships takes place on Sunday at the Stadium of Light. More than 40,000 tickets have already been snapped up for the game.

Sunderland promise to attract the biggest crowd since the International Youth tournament started in 1948.