ANTHONY LE TALLEC has been told to forget about having an easy life at Sunderland and warned to warm to the idea of defending from the front.

The young forward, on a season- long loan from Liverpool, was quoted as being frustrated with life on Wearside, citing a lack of starting appearances and a dearth of goalscoring chances as reasons for his misery.

Le Tallec spoke of his apparent anguish while on international duty with the French Under-21s, scoring a hat-trick at the weekend.

He claimed he has to keep telling himself he is only "here for one year".

Although manager Mick McCarthy admits his quotes could have been taken out of context, the Sunderland boss insists that Le Tallec must realise working hard is the best way to help the Black Cats stay in the Premiership.

"All Anthony has highlighted, and it is a lesson everyone needs to learn, is that we do have to work damn hard to survive in this division," said McCarthy.

"Part of the reason Liverpool wanted him to come here was to learn that side of the game. He has a lot of talent and ability. What he is learning at the moment, is that he needs to put a shift in as well.

"If you look at Andy Gray and Stephen Elliott, they work their socks off.

"What I will say to him is that, yes, too right, you do need to defend when you play in this side. And, if he plays on Saturday, he is going to have to defend even more than usual because we're playing Manchester United."

Le Tallec, who is on his third loan stint away from Anfield, has only made two league starts for Sunderland since his move.

Along with Tommy Miller, the former Le Havre youngster is one of only two players to have scored two at the club this season.

McCarthy admits he sympathises with Le Tallec, who was not afraid to voice his frustration during a testing time at Liverpool.

"I'm not surprised he is frustrated because he isn't getting a regular start at the moment. But we know what he can do and he has just got to make sure that he trains right, prepares right and takes his opportunity when it comes," said the Sunderland boss.

"Anthony has been fine while he's been here. I know he is frustrated, but it doesn't mean I'm going to pick the team any differently because of it.

"I've seen his comments, but I don't think they are bad and I suspect they have been taken out of context a little bit."

McCarthy suffered more bad news on the injury front yesterday when he confirmed winger Matt Piper has suffered more injury heartache.

Piper's time at Sunderland has been blighted by operation after operation and he is almost certain to need surgery on damaged ankle ligaments.

He has made just 13 league starts for the club since making a move from Leicester in August 2002 and he had hoped to play a big role this season.

However, McCarthy revealed: "They've been trying to manage it conservatively with treatment and injections but it is appearing less and less likely that it will work. The possibility of an operation is ever greater. It's so frustrating for everyone."

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