JULIO Arca has urged Sunderland team-mate George McCartney to follow his lead by spurning the opportunity of a January move to the top-flight.

Premiership surprise packages Everton are poised to make a seven-figure bid for McCartney when the transfer window re-opens at the start of next month.

The Northern Ireland international has become something of a wanted man this season, with North-East neighbours Newcastle also understood to be monitoring his form as they size up possible defensive re-inforcements.

Arca found himself in similar demand this year, with Scottish champions Celtic joining a number of English sides to run the rule over the versatile left-footer.

But, after signing a new two-year deal last month, the Argentinian is desperate to see McCartney honour his current contract, which should tie him to Wearside until 2007.

"It's not surprising to see other teams being interested in George because he has been playing really well," said Arca, who will miss Saturday's Championship showdown with West Ham after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the recent win over Ipswich.

"I hope he stays here at Sunderland because you want to keep hold of all your best players.

"I don't know what's going to happen. It's up to him - if he thinks leaving the club is the best thing for his future then that is what he will do.

"Of course I would like him to stay though. He's a very important part of our team."

Arca and McCartney have developed an almost telepathic relationship on Sunderland's left flank, with the duo overlapping at will to outfox opposition defenders.

With Arca equally comfortable at left midfield or left-back, and McCartney similarly versatile, the pair provide a fluidity that has served the Black Cats well over the last two seasons.

"I think we played really well together last season, and this season we've done exactly the same," said Arca.

"George is a really good defender and we're both versatile. I can play left back, he can play left wing, and we understand each other well.

"We know each other inside out. I know what he's going to do and he knows what I'm going to do, so it's great for us to play in front of each other."

Arca has missed just two league games this season, and his recent fine form has been instrumental in the Black Cats' rise to third in the Championship table.

Early season speculation over his future was clearly unsettling but, with a new contract put to bed, the South American is enjoying the freedom to concentrate solely on his football.

"It's nice to have the pressure of the contract talks taken off me," he admitted. "I'm just thinking about playing now.

"Everything was about my contract earlier in the season - was I going to go or was I going to stay? So it's nice to have that all sorted out.

"That's all gone now, so I'm focused on my ambition, which is to help win promotion for Sunderland. I want to play next season in the Premiership.

"The motivation at the moment is really good - both in me and in the team - because we're fighting for promotion and we know we have a big chance."

* Sunderland have agreed a deal with Bolton that will see Michael Bridges make a permanent move to Wearside when his current loan deal expires this month.

Bridges, who scored his first goal for more than four-and-a-half-years on Saturday, began his second spell at the Stadium of Light in September.

His is due to return to Bolton on December 24, but is ready to sign a new deal that will see him contracted at Sunderland until 2005, with the option of a further 12-month extension.

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