SUNDERLAND will open talks with Riccardo Scimeca later today after West Brom boss Bryan Robson gave the defender permission to negotiate a move away from the Hawthorns.

But another transfer deal is now in doubt after Swiss club Grasshoppers told the Black Cats to 'put up or shut up' in their attempts to sign midfielder Ricardo Cabanas.

Versatile defender Scimeca has fallen out of favour with the Baggies this season, making just three senior starts despite the club's struggles in the bottom half of the Premiership.

League One side Nottingham Forest have also approached Robson in an attempt to sign the 30-year-old, who has spent all of his career in the Midlands.

But Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy is prepared to meet West Brom's £200,000 asking price and is expected to make a formal approach to Scimeca later today.

The Leamington-born stopper had made 40 appearances for West Brom since making a £100,000 move from Leicester in May 2004.

"Riccy is free to talk to clubs," confirmed Robson. "With Andy (Johnson) and Riccy being the age they are, they need first-team football and should be enjoying playing the game.

"They're not really getting a chance with me and that's why I have allowed them to speak to other clubs."

Cabanas, a right winger with 30 international caps for Switzerland, impressed during a trial at the Academy of Light on Friday.

He trained with his Grasshoppers team-mates yesterday having informed the Zurich-based club's board he was keen on a move to Wearside having already held initial discussions with McCarthy.

But, while the Black Cats boss is hoping to sign the 26-year-old for a knockdown £300,000 fee, Grasshoppers officials are determined to hold out for their initial valuation of £500,000.

That presents problems to McCarthy, who is hoping to make at least three signings this month despite his transfer budget having been capped at £1m.

The capture of a creative midfielder is one of his priorities, but the Yorkshireman will spend the rest of week trying to persuade Grasshoppers to reduce their asking price.

Sources in Switzerland suggest this is unlikely as Cabanas' contract is understood to contain a clause ruling out his sale for anything less than £500,000. Given Grasshoppers' perilous financial state, a loan deal is also unlikely.

Cabanas is expected to submit a formal transfer request should Grasshoppers block his Sunderland switch, and McCarthy is hoping to complete the deal as quickly as possible after missing out on another two targets yesterday.

Mirsad Beslija has signed a deal at Hearts after Belgian outfit Racing Genk turned down Sunderland's offer of a six-month loan deal for the Bosnian midfielder, while goalkeeper Stefan Postma has signed for Wolves.

"We had an offer from Sunderland to take Mirsad on loan for the rest of the season, but that was not agreeable to us," confirmed Genk sporting director Ariel Jacobs.

Undeterred, McCarthy continues to cast his net far and wide, with six trialists expected to arrive this week.

The hopefuls should include Polish striker Grzegorz Piechna - a player first linked to the Black Cats in The Northern Echo last week - and Norwegian defender Christian Steen.

Meanwhile, centre-half Neill Collins has warned McCarthy he has not returned to Wearside to make up the numbers.

The Scotsman, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Hartlepool, partnered Alan Stubbs as the Black Cats brushed aside Northwich Victoria to take their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

His sixth-minute opener ended Sunderland's six-week barren run at the Stadium of Light and, just as importantly, his diligent defensive display justified McCarthy's decision to promote him straight back into the starting line-up.

With Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell ready to return from suspension when the Black Cats host Chelsea on Sunday, Collins' spell in the first team is likely to be a short one.

But, while he accepts he still has plenty to prove, the 22-year-old has threatened to quit Sunderland if he is banished to the sidelines for the rest of the season.

"I have come back to show I'm ready if the manager needs me," said Collins, a £25,000 signing from Dumbarton in August 2004.

"Last week went well and I got a game in the FA Cup. I have shown why he picked me. I'm not going to stay here if I'm not involved at all."

Playing in the Premiership, though, is a different proposition to League One and, if he starts on Sunday, he will be asked to shackle Argentina international Hernan Crespo.

"Crespo is a world-class player," said Collins. "But he is also a human being like me and you. He has two arms and two legs."

* Kevin Kyle is expected to make his long-awaited return from injury in this evening's reserves game with Middlesbrough.

* Sunderland's re-arranged game at Blackburn will take place on Wednesday, Feb 15 (ko 8pm).

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