ANY clubs preparing to launch a January swoop for Sunderland's star man Julio Arca were last night warned : "He is not for sale".

The skilful South American has been a revelation for the Black Cats in their first season back in Division One and his good form has alerted a number of top clubs.

Scottish Premier League giants Celtic are Arca's biggest admirers but he has also been linked with Liverpool.

However, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray has moved to reassure supporters that their favourite will not be leaving during this month's transfer window.

Murray, who had to oversee a major stripping of Mick McCarthy's squad last summer following a costly relegation from the Premiership, also revealed that Sunderland are not going to sell goalkeeper Mart Poom.

It has been suggested that Poom is wanted by West Ham as a replacement for England No 1 David James, who joined Manchester City last week.

But Murray said: "No player who Mick wants to keep will go. People are not welcome to make offers. If anyone has made any approach at all, they've been told it's not needed.

"Arca and Poom will not go in the window, no matter what offers come in. I'm determined to get Sunderland promoted and I want to give Mick every opportunity to make it happen."

A player who is unlikely to be still at the Stadium of Light by the end of this month is former skipper Michael Gray.

The left back is back at Sunderland following the breakdown of a longer spell at Celtic, where his loan came to an end at the start of the year.

Although Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has told him he still hopes to resurrect a deal provided they can reduce their wage bill first, Gray now looks set to join Bolton.

Trotters boss Sam Allardyce, a close friend of ex-Sunderland chief Peter Reid, is expected to sign the 29-year-old on loan until the end of the season some time this week.

McCarthy already has options at left-back, with Arca and George McCartney proving they are both capable of turning in consistent performances in that position over the past few months.

The departure of high-earner Gray will strengthen Sunderland's hand in the transfer market.

McCarthy, believed to be considering a move for Leicester's ex-Newcastle defender Steve Howey, remains keen on young Huddersfield striker Jon Stead and there is an offer still on the table from Sunderland.

Murray admitted they are trying to add new faces to the squad in an attempt to push for promotion.

He said: "If we get the chance to bring someone in, now or after the window, we will consider it."

The capture of Kevin Cooper on a three-month deal from Wolves recently was the seventh signing made by McCarthy since the start of the campaign.

* Leeds' acting-chairman Trevor Birch has been given a further seven days to find the funds which will prevent the club falling into the hands of administrators.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Birch revealed the week-long extension to their 'standstill agreement' with the principal creditors who are owed a combined £82m.

Birch now seems certain to turn to the club's highly-paid stars and ask them to defer a portion of their wages - likely to be around 30 per cent - until the end of the season.

That would provide Leeds with the £5m needed to see them through the next four months.

Birch has also managed to agree the possibility of a further two-week extension up to February 6, but that will only be allowed if certain financial conditions are met.

While the club have confirmed talks have been held with ''interested parties'' in the last seven weeks since the initial agreement was arranged, no-one has so far stepped forward.

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