SUNDERLAND will sign Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte on a season-long loan later today, with goalkeeper Mart Poom moving in the opposite direction to Highbury.

Hoyte's arrival will offer some much-needed relief to Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy, after his defensive plans were scuppered by a long-term injury to first-choice full-back Stephen Wright.

Wright faces up to two more months on the sidelines after injuring his knee in training and, while stand-in Nyron Nosworthy has performed admirably in defeats to Liverpool, Manchester City and Wigan, McCarthy has been on the look-out for further cover.

He appears to have found it in the shape of Hoyte, an untried 20-year-old who has gradually worked his way through Arsenal's Academy system.

The right-back, who has made ten senior starts for the Gunners and was a second-half substitute in this month's Community Shield, spent yesterday on Wearside discussing a season-long switch to the Black Cats.

He is expected to undergo a brief medical this morning before completing the formalities of his move to the North-East.

The transfer is part of a two-way package that will also see injury-plagued goalkeeper Poom join Arsenal as cover to first-choice stopper Jens Lehmann.

The Estonia international has failed to force his way back into Sunderland's first team after missing the last seven months of last season with a succession of knee problems.

Arsene Wenger has most of the summer looking for an experienced goalkeeper to supplement Lehmann and Spanish stopper Manuel Almunia.

A deal for Uruguayan Sebastien Viera collapsed at the last minute, forcing Wenger to seek a ready-made alternative from the English leagues.

That search has led him to Poom and, despite the keeper's recent injury woes, he is expected to complete a permanent move to North London later today.

The 33-year-old has entered the final year of his current Sunderland deal and, with his wages representing one of the club's biggest financial outlays, the Black Cats will be happy to release him.

Arsenal are yet to confirm their interest, but Estonia coach Jelle Goes has revealed that Poom was given permission to break off from his national side's preparations for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers in order to travel to London.

"Poom needs to rest," said Goes, when quizzed by Estonian journalists last night. "He has a long flight from London to Tallinn behind him.

"Things with Poom will clear up soon - whether he plays, sits on the bench or isn't involved at all."

* George McCartney is expected to make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury when Sunderland's second-string take on Manchester United tomorrow night.