Transfer update...

A decision is due to be made soon regarding the transfer of midfielder Ricardo Cabanas. McCarthy was in London yesterday to meet with the board in an attempt to persuade them to part with the £500,000 needed to purchase the Swiss international.

The Sunderland manager will hope that the departure of Carl Robinson to Norwich for £50,000 will act in his favour, having freed up space on the wage bill and generated some transfer money.

Doubts still remain however as to whether any expenditure will be sanctioned by the board who may feel that any money spent before inevitable relegation will be futile and better saved for summer squad restructuring.

Senegal striker Lamine Sakho still remains a target after impressing during a trial spell, though fellow trialists Christian Steen and Polish striker Lukasz Sosin aren't likely to be offered deals.

And while yesterday it was reported that McCarthy was likely to rebuff any offers from Derby County for defender Alan Stubbs, it is now believed that the former Everton stopper will be allowed to leave the club.

Expected to become an integral part of the team when he signed an initial one year deal in the summer, Stubbs has failed to command a place at the heart of Sunderland’s defence with McCarthy instead preferring last season’s successful partnership of captain Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell in centre defence.

With just 8 starts to his name in a red and white shirt Derby will be stepping up their bid to bring the experienced defender to Pride Park during the transfer window.

Goalkeeper Joe Murphy is also set to end his brief stay at the club as Walsall aim to make his loan move at the Bescott Stadium permanent. His 3 month loan comes to an end this weekend and Paul Merson's side hope to take over the Irishman's contract.