SUNDERLAND have earmarked Leeds United full-back Frazer Richardson as the perfect man to kick-start a summer of fine-tuning at the Stadium of Light ahead of a return to the Premiership.

Having put former Manchester United defender Mark Lynch on the transfer-list, manager Mick McCarthy wants to bring in a right-back to compete with Stephen Wright for a place.

Richardson, who can also play right-midfield, has impressed all season in that role and his form has not gone unnoticed by McCarthy, who has been keeping track of the player's development.

Leeds do not want to lose their England Under-20 international but are bracing themselves for a bid from Sunderland, which could come as early as this week and is likely to start at around £250,000.

The Whites, aiming to follow the Black Cats' lead and clinch promotion back to the top-flight next year after two seasons outside the elite, know Sunderland have been keeping tabs on their man.

But, with the lure of Premiership football now at their disposal, Sunderland are hopeful they can make Richardson their first signing of the summer, with McCarthy looking to add eight players to his squad before August.

The 22-year-old, born in Rotherham, has been a virtual ever-present under Kevin Blackwell this season and had a tough debut 2003-04 campaign when he played as Leeds slumped into the Football League.

Portsmouth's experienced midfielder Steve Stone is another possibility for McCarthy, who is thought to have around £5m to spend.

Stone, formerly of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, was released by Portsmouth yesterday and is believed to be keen on a return to his native North-East.

Despite being a boyhood Newcastle fan, the 33-year-old would not rule out a move to the Magpies' arch rivals and would not command a transfer a fee.

Striker Marcus Stewart, told he can leave Sunderland when his contract expires next month, has opened talks with his hometown club Bristol City.

Stewart has admitted he would do everything in his power to sign for City and see out the final few years of his career with them and preliminary negotiations have taken place.

The forward said: "I would like to go to Ashton Gate because it's the club I love and I would relish the chance to help them get into the Championship.

"That is the one ambition in my life that I have yet to achieve. I am going away for three weeks on holiday and then we will see what happens after that."

Sunderland's Danny Collins has revealed a surprise phone call during Monday night's Victory Parade was how he learned of an international call-up.

Collins, playing in the Conference with Chester City 12 months ago, has been included in Wales' squad for a get-together in Spain at the end of the month.

But the versatile defender admits he may have to turn down manager John Toshack's offer because he is in the midst of setting up home on Wearside.

"I've been called into the training squad and the plan is to go away for a week in Spain. But I'm just in the process of buying a house up in Sunderland so I don't really know if I can away yet," he said.

"I need to move up here so I'll have to have a chat with John Toshack and see what happens. Funnily enough, he rang me while I was on the bus (during the parade round Sunderland) but I didn't have much chance to talk."

Collins believes his inclusion in the latest squad vindicates how important his move from Chester to Sunderland was for his career.

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