AT a time when Sunderland's strikers are going through a lean spell, confident boss Mick McCarthy believes his men are about to come good in front of goal.

None of their four main forwards - Marcus Stewart, Kevin Kyle, Darren Byfield or Tommy Smith - have scored in the last six games.

And Sunderland travel to Burnley tomorrow aiming to secure the third or fourth place that will ensure their play-off second leg will be played at the Stadium of Light.

But if the Black Cats are to achieve that target then they could do with one of the quartet hitting form - and it would be at exactly the right time with the battle for a Premiership place on the horizon.

McCarthy, who insists the 23-goal pairing of Stewart and Kyle are his first choice, said: "Maybe they are saving all the goals up.

"I think we have had some good partnerships throughout the season and overall Kyle and Stewart have been the most productive.

"I think Tommy Smith and Darren Byfield have been coming in and scoring goals and providing different partnerships for us.

"I think Marcus helps Kyle the most, that's because of Marcus' experience. There's pressure on each and everyone of them to perform. But it's nice to have four of them.

"I don't want them to have any security. It's nice that when they look at the bench they know there are more players who can do a job.

"We can put any permutation out there and they all have the ability to change a game because they give us different things."

Tomorrow's trip to Turf Moor will be the end of the road for Clarets boss Stan Ternent after six years with the club.

Gateshead-born Ternent, an eccentric boss well-known for his tunnel and dressing room bust-ups, has been told by the Burnley board that his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.

McCarthy was as shocked as anyone when he heard the news on Tuesday, the day Sunderland clinched a play-off spot with victory over Norwich, but he still expects a rough ride from the Lancastrians.

"Stan will have them wound up to fever pitch," he said. "He doesn't need his CV tweaking. To beat Sunderland on the last day of the season would be nice for him.

"He really is a character. He loves his football, he is a football man. He's sailed close to the wind a few times but that's Stan. Love him or loathe him, I think you have got to respect him for what he's done because he has a terrific record.

"He's one of Burnley's all-time great managers.

"It was bizarre news. I don't know why they would wait until the end of the season. Stan will have them wound up. I've already had that discussion with him."

McCarthy, down to the bare bones with his squad selection against the Canaries, has received brighter news on the injury front over the past few days.

But he insists he will not rush players back for tomorrow's game, choosing instead to focus on having a stronger team for the play-off push.

"Jason (McAteer) still has a little niggle in his groin and George McCartney has a sore knee but they should be all right," said McCarthy, who expects Kyle to recover from a knee problem. "But if anyone is struggling then I won't play them.

"I would like to think if we got into the final then we could have a few more available."

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