SUNDERLAND'S Darren Holloway will resume talks with Wimbledon after the collapse yesterday of the First Division club's bid to sign Everton defender Richard Dunne.

Holloway is set to discuss personal terms with Wimbledon after the Wearsiders accepted a £1.3m offer for the Crook-born midfielder.

Wimbledon deputy chairman Charles Koppell confirmed last night that they hope to wrap up the deal for 22-year-old Holloway after their £2.5m move for Dunne was scuppered at the eleventh hour.

Koppell revealed that Holloway's ability to play in several different positions was the key to their attempt to land him. He said: "Darren's versatility is a big factor. We already have players like Jason Euell, Neal Ardley and Kenny Cunningham who can play in more than one position.

"That is really what we need. When we have injuries and suspensions we know we have good players who can come in and cover.

"I think in fairness to Richard Dunne he did want to become a Wimbledon player. But there were a few factors involved in the final deal after it had dragged on which made us look twice at the situation and decide it wasn't right for us."

Since the Dons' relegation to the First Division in May, manager Terry Burton has sold £18m worth of players and spent only £2m on replacements.

It means he will have enough cash to match the wage demands of Holloway, who will need to be convinced that a move away from the Stadium of Light would help his career.

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Peter Reid may have unearthed the ideal replacement for retired defender Steve Bould in teenage star Ben Clark.

Reid singled out 18-year-old debutant Clark for special praise after the Wearsiders' 2-1 Worthington Cup win at Luton.

Reid said: "I thought young Ben was a major plus. He has a very good defensive brain for one so young and can pass the ball.

"That was just as well because we couldn't pass water for most of the game."

Former England schoolboys' skipper Clark, who joined Sunderland last summer after a spell at Manchester United, teamed up with Paul Butler at the heart of the Wearsiders' defence. And the youngster's impressive display earned rave reviews from fit-again midfielder Alex Rae.

Rae said: "I thought Clarkie was outstanding. For him to come into his first senior game and look so confident was excellent.

"He handled himself well and to see young players like him come through is only good for the club."

Rae returned from suspension and an ankle injury at Kenilworth Road but was far from satisfied with his first performance of the season as the Wearsiders struggled to overcome Luton 2-1.

He said: "I wasn't very pleased and it was very hard for me out there. I'd only really had three quite light training sessions going into the game and it showed.

"The positive thing is that I got the 90 minutes under my belt, but there wasn't much sharpness in my play. But the game showed I have to work very hard in training.