SUNDERLAND'S hopes of easing their financial problems by getting Emerson Thome off the wage bill were hit last night when Bolton Wanderers claimed a deal for the defender is looking unlikely.

Thome, who was made available on a free transfer at the end of last season, was hopeful of resurrecting his stuttering career at the Reebok Stadium.

But with the transfer deadline now just two days away, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was downbeat about his side's chances of signing the Brazilian.

Allardyce said: "The chances of Emerson Thome coming here seem to have taken a step backwards. That's looking less likely."

With Thome seemingly not figuring in Mick McCarthy's plans, the Sunderland boss is backing George McCartney to blossom into a top-class centre-back - with a little help from Gary Breen.

McCartney, normally a left-back, has impressed in the heart of the Sunderland defence in the wins against Preston North End and Watford.

He is almost certain to line up alongside Breen at Bradford City tomorrow with a glowing reference from his manager ringing in his ears.

McCarthy said: "Playing alongside Gary has helped George. If it had been him and Ben Clark together, it would have been a different proposition for both of them.

"But it's comforting for them to be next to Gary, who has so much experience and who talks a lot.

"Gary's been excellent. He's been very instrumental in settling us down because he's a talker and an organiser.

"George would play anywhere to get into the team. I told him at the weekend that there was an opportunity for him to grab.

"He's played well in the last couple of games and there's no reason why he shouldn't continue there.

"You think that maybe he lacks a bit of height to play at centre-back. But he's a very good athlete with pace and he's good in the air for someone of that size.

"He's a competitor; he likes the physical aspect of the game, and he gets that constantly at centre-back. He's someone that can fill that role for me."

McCartney, along with Newcastle United's Aaron Hughes, was yesterday named in the Northern Ireland squad for their Euro 2004 qualifiers against Ukraine and Armenia on September 6 and 10.

* Sunderland's First Division game at Coventry City will be screened live by Sky Television. It has been moved back two days to Monday, December 8, kick off 8pm.