MICK McCARTHY is ready to turn to bargain buy Daryl Murphy in a bid to cure Sunderland's profligacy in front of goal.

The Black Cats boss is hoping the former Waterford United striker will thrive on the big stage and help close the gap on the teams above the Wearsiders.

Although Sunderland have leaked goals at an alarming rate in the Premiership, it has been at the other end where they have proven to be of lower league standard.

Sunderland's six strikers have scored a combined total of six goals in the league - illustrating exactly why McCarthy's men are languishing at the foot of the table.

Despite Jon Stead's up-turn in form outside the area he is yet to boast a solitary goal since his £1.8m move from Blackburn, while Kevin Kyle is at least showing signs of his confidence growing since his return from an 18-month lay-off.

The pair drew a blank against Tottenham on Sunday and were indebted to substitute Murphy grabbing a late, late leveller that secured Sunderland a point.

McCarthy has shown a reluctance to start with Murphy, snapped up from part-time football in Ireland in the summer, and sent him on loan to Sheffield Wednesday at the back end of last year.

After the 22-year-old scored his first for the club on Sunday, though, the Sunderland boss is debating whether to throw the relatively inexperienced forward in at Blackburn tonight.

"Murphy's goal was terrific, he's got pace and strength and he's a finisher," said McCarthy. "It's been a big step up from Waterford for him but he's scored in the Premiership and that shows a real development and improvement in his play.

"The best strikers or somebody in form will take chances like he did on Sunday (when he rounded Paul Stalteri before side-footing past Paul Robinson). It's about gambling and taking a chance in the Premiership.

"Murphy did something on Sunday we've not managed much this season and scored. He's in with a chance of playing."

If Murphy does receive his opportunity that would be the ultimate blow to Stead who wants to turn in a performance against the manager who opted to sell him.

When Blackburn boss Mark Hughes took over from Graeme Souness he never warmed to the talents of Stead and was allowed to leave when Sunderland offered a decent fee for him.

But the switch to the Stadium of Light has not turned into gold and he has gone 1,331 Premiership minutes without scorin. His last goal was for Rovers at Birmingham on April 30, 2005.

Stead's workrate has never been in any doubt and McCarthy sympathises with his most expensive summer acquisition.

But he said: "You can see the disappointment when he comes off having not scored. I'm not apportioning blame to him or anyone else, but people expect him to score goals. I didn't sign him or any of the other strikers not to score goals, that's what's expected of him, he's here to score goals.

"Every player gets an unbelievable amount of encouragement and assistance whether it's physical or emotional. Be it an arm round the back, a kick up the backside or working with them on the training ground. They all do. Maybe fate will decide Stead scores his next goal at Blackburn.

"We expect him to score goals because he's a striker. Just as I expect Andy Gray and Stephen Elliott (both are injured and have three between them) to do the same. That's their job. If they can't hack that they're in the wrong job."

Despite recovering from a career-threatening injury, Kyle is also totting up the Premiership minutes without finding the vital breakthrough.

The powerful Scotland striker was part of the Sunderland squad that experienced relegation in 2003 and, although he scored in the Championship, he has played 1,023 minutes of top-flight football without hitting the net.

But his form is not seen as a problem, as he regains full match fitness. "In the last few games with Kyle playing the centre-backs have not had an easy ride," said McCarthy. "For 18 months out he's been remarkable, he's been terrific coming back and we are all pleased to have him back."

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