Danish club Lyngby are closing in on midfielder Carsten Fredgaard, who they sold to Sunderland last year.

Fredgaard has failed to establish himself in the first team at the Stadium of Light and the Danes are keen to re-sign him.

The two clubs are locked in talks and a Lyngby spokesman said last night: "We don't think we are too far away from Sundrland's valuation.

"We are still working behind the scenes to bring him back to Denmark. We rate him very highly."

Meanwhile, Canadian international Jason Bent has launched an attempt to seal a move to Sunderland.

Bent, who plays in midfield for Colorado Rapids in the MLS, has been given a trial by manager Peter Reid.

The 23-year-old is eager to move into European football after completing his third season in the American league.

Bent, born in Toronto, has been a regular for Colorado since starting as a left-back after leaving the University of Maryland.

He switched successfully into a midfield role where he is also employed by Canada, who bid to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals has already ended in failure.

Reid has also been linked with Sporting Lisbon striker Kwame Ayew, but has decided not to pursue his interest.

The Ghanaian, who would cost more than £1m, is now hoping to clinch a move to Bradford City after being told he has no future at his Portuguese club.

Meanwhile, Reid believes his keeper Thomas Sorensen is ready to grasp the opportunity to finally signal the end of Peter Schmeichel's international career.

An injury to the former Manchester United star means Sorensen will start his first game for Denmark when they play Germany in a friendly next month.

And 24-year-old Sorensen knows it offers him a glorious chance to take over from a keeper who has been an automatic choice for more than a decade.

He said: "If I put in a superb performance, perhaps it will put a doubt in the coach's mind. Maybe he'll say now if the time to change.

"It's up to me to impress people. That's what I will be playing for - it's a great chance for me and I know I need to take it."

Reid said: "Thomas has been outstanding for us since he first came to the club. We've got one of the best keepers around and he's improving all the time. His international call-up will be a massive boost to his confidence. Denmark are very lucky to have two top drawer keepers."

Sorensen will equal Sunderland's Premiership record of four successive clean sheets if he prevents Coventry City scoring at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

l Monday's FA Premier Reserve League derby between Sunderland and Middlesbrough has been moved to November 6, 7pm at New Ferens Park, Durham.

l Sunderland striker Niall Quinn, Manchester United skipper Roy Keane and Charlton captain Mark Kinsella are the three nominees for the Republic of Ireland Eircom Senior International of the Year Award.

Sunderland also have winger Kevin Kilbane in for the Young Player Award and teenage striker Michael Reddy nominated for the Under-21 award.