SUNDERLAND are still hopeful of luring Jon Stead and Steve Caldwell to the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy has been scouring the transfer market in a bid to bolster his side's chances of securing promotion to the Premiership this season.

A bid worth £850,000 is still on the table at Huddersfield for the talented Stead but the Terriers are hoping to receive nearer £1.5m.

The 20-year-old forward has attracted scouts from a host of clubs - including Southampton, Newcastle and Fulham - but Sunderland's offer is the only one so far.

Huddersfield manager Peter Jackson said: "Jon Stead is a wanted player. I want to keep him at this club, but whether he is here at the end of January is out of my hands.

"The transfer window is open and who knows what will happen? One thing is for certain, though - if Jon Stead leaves this club he won't be going cheaply."

But Sunderland chairman Bob Murray insists they will not be held to ransom. He said: "Mick says the bid we have made for him is more than enough and it's the best it's going to be.''

Newcastle centre-back Caldwell is also still high on Sunderland's wanted list, despite Sir Bobby Robson's reluctance to allow the Scot to leave St James' Park.

However, the 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer and rivals Sunderland are prepared to wait to clinch his signature.

Murray said: "We would love to see him at this club. It's funny how the club are still expecting a fee for a player who is in the final weeks of his contract."

The Sunderland chairman, meanwhile, has hinted that he expects four players to be off the club's wage bill by the end of the month.

But Murray reiterated his stance that no players will be sold if they are a part of McCarthy's plans.

One player likely to be departing is left-back Michael Gray, with Bolton or Celtic the destination.

And Murray is keen to see Sunderland's fortunes on the pitch continue to improve under the guidance of McCarthy.

"Michael Gray is back here training. But I would think he will have another club by the end of January and I wish him all the best," said Murray. "I told Mick we would not need to sell anyone in the transfer window if he didn't want to. Hopefully there will be three or four players going but they are not in Mick's plans.

"We sense a bit of team spirit back at this club for the first time in a long time. It is good to see that. And it is also good to see that Mick is not making some of the mistakes his predecessors have done."

l American striker Clint Mathis has signed for Geman side Hannover after a trial at Sunderland.