MICK McCARTHY is optimistically looking for Kevin Kyle to be back in Sunderland action by the turn of the year - after the striker had a career-saving operation in America.

Kyle, who has not kicked a ball in the Black Cats first team for 12 months, has finally resorted to surgery after months of trying to avoid going under the knife for a second time.

After a series of orthodox injections failed to clear up the 24-year-old's long-standing hip problem, the big Scot had flown to Germany last week to see a top specialist.

But Hans Muller-Wolfhart - renowned for developing and using bizarre homeopathic injections containing calves' blood and the comb from a cockerel's head - was unable to eradicate the problem.

And, in one last attempt to save Kyle from premature retirement, he has flown to the United States and Sunderland are waiting to hear whether or not his second hip operation has been a success.

If it has Kyle could make a Premiership comeback in January, otherwise his career could be over.

"This has gone on for 12 months and that makes it serious in itself," said McCarthy. "It's not just been the past week when we have decided to do something about it.

"We just have to keep trying different approaches. It started with an operation and now it is down to another. The guy who is doing it has a huge success rate and we just have to wait and see.

"We can't panic and write him off, we all have to believe he will pull through. What the percentage of success in this case is I don't know."

Kyle's last appearance in a Sunderland shirt was at Reading last August. It has been a testing time for the Scotland international who has never been one to shirk his duties on the pitch.

And manager Mick McCarthy is hoping the powerful centre-forward's decision to have a second operation will benefit club and player.

"Kevin wants to get fit. It's doing his head in that he is having to miss games and training," said McCarthy, who has referred to new signing Andy Gray as his new target man after accepting Kyle is still a long way from recovery.

"He would be a real asset to us. I would love to have a fit Kevin Kyle and let's hope that's the case. We might have a fit player come January and that's how we have to look at it."

McCarthy is also on the look out for a new right-back to compete with Nyron Nosworthy after Stephen Wright was ruled out for three months with knee ligament damage.

Wright fell awkwardly in training on Monday and scans have shown he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines - meaning he misses a return to his former club Liverpool on Saturday.

Now McCarthy is exploring the possibility of drafting in a new face on a short-term basis - but feels Nosworthy is a ready made replacement.

The former Gillingham defender has never played in the top-flight but is set to make his first Premiership start at Anfield.

"Nyron has got the qualities that make him a very good full-back," said McCarthy.

"He has played regular football in the Championship and done very well but has never played in the Premier League. But what gets you ready for the Premier League? He has the chance now to prove he can deal with it.

"Liverpool is a great game for players to start with in the Premier League. They should all be looking forward to it and will be relishing the prospect. They will need no geeing up for it."

McCarthy also confirmed he has no intention of trying to lure Ian Harte to the Stadium of Light this summer.

Harte worked under the Sunderland boss during his time in charge of the Republic of Ireland and is looking for a move back to England from Spanish side Levante.

But McCarthy - who stated he had no interest in signing Norwich bound Clinton Morrison - does not list Harte among his targets.

* Sunderland will play host to Manchester City at the Stadium of Light next Tuesday and have asked fans to note that mid-week home fixtures now kick-off at 7.45pm.

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