MICK McCARTHY faces a huge selection dilemma ahead of the new season as he decides whether to bring Kevin Phillips in from the cold.

Phillips, who revealed his desire to leave Sunderland almost three months ago, has not played in any of the club's pre-season friendlies.

But despite plenty of interest from elsewhere an expected move has not materialised, and the 30-year-old is likely to still be a Sunderland player when the campaign kicks off at Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Phillips lacks match fitness at present, but he is the club's most potent goal threat and McCarthy would be accused of negligence if he overlooked Sunderland's record post-War goalscorer.

Captain Michael Gray and £6.75m misfit Tore Andre Flo have figured occasionally in the build-up to the new campaign, but they along with Emerson Thome were left behind when the squad travelled to Scotland.

McCarthy admitted the sale of Jody Craddock to Wolverhampton Wanderers was necessitated by the failure to sell any of their more high-profile stars.

He said: "Perhaps we all thought somebody would come in for Tore Andre Flo or Michael Gray or Kevin Phillips, or that Emerson Thome would move to Rangers.

"There were other players that fans might have accepted seeing leave more than Jody Craddock."

With Phillips still in the Stadium of Light background, Michael Proctor has asked McCarthy to pair him with Kevin Kyle as they embark on the First Division campaign. Kyle and Marcus Stewart seems the most likely strikeforce that will start at Forest, but the former Ipswich Town forward had a subdued game against Heart of Midlothian.

Proctor said: "I've played with Kevin Kyle for a long time and that helps. He wins his fair share of headers and he's easy to play alongside. Kevin scored a great goal at Hibernian and I thought he was good against Hearts.

"There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders - people will be looking for him to replace Niall Quinn - but he's doing well and he'll only get better.

"I'm happy with how things are going for me. Like anyone, I just want to get into the team for the Forest game."

Thomas Sorensen was last night warned his proposed £2.25m move to Aston Villa was in doubt by the cash wrangle between the goalkeeper and Sunderland.

Villa deputy chief executive Mark Ansell said: "It is down to the player and Sunderland to sort out or that is the end of it."

Craddock left Sunderland for Wolves yesterday with a glowing testament from chairman Bob Murray ringing in his years.

The defender put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Wolves, whom he has joined for £1.75m.

Murray said: "I've spoken to Jody as this was a very tough decision to make. He's an impeccable professional who has always done his best for the club.

"Jody has been with us for six years and has given us his all during that time, but is moving closer to his home town which will give him and his family a fresh start."

Goalkeeper Michael Ingham and defender Craig James will link up with the senior squad in Scotland today ahead of tomorrow's final pre-season friendly at Kilmarnock.