SUNDERLAND are in serious danger of missing out on Shaun Goater - the man Mick McCarthy wants to fire the club back into the Premiership.

Despite yesterday's (wed) departure of Lilian Laslandes to Nice, McCarthy is still struggling to strengthen his squad as he copes with an unwieldy wage bill.

And the delay in the possible sale of Kevin Phillips has enabled a posse of Sunderland's First Division rivals to join the chase for Goater.

Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town and Cardiff City all want the striker, who is surplus to requirements at Manchester City.

A Forest spokesman said last night: "I can confirm that Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Shaun Goater.

"Shaun is a player that Paul Hart would like to have on board at the City Ground."

Northern Echo SPORT first revealed McCarthy was keen to bring Goater to Wearside in May.

The Sunderland manager admitted his interest in the 33-year-old last week - but his transfer kitty remains empty.

Goater has pleaded City not to price him out of a move and he is understood to be available for £300,000.

Even allowing for that small asking fee, however, the Black Cats face being outmanoeuvred by another club.

Forest, who reached the play-offs last season, are in the market for another striker after releasing Jack Lester.

West Brom, who yesterday completed the £400,000 signing of Sunderland's Bernt Haas, have accepted Jason Roberts's transfer request.

Ipswich boss Joe Royle took Goater to Maine Road in 1998, and the Bermudian helped the club from Division Two to the Premiership in successive seasons.

And Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence has been given a substantial transfer budget, although he has denied opening talks with Goater.

Sunderland midfielders Gavin McCann and Claudio Reyna are both wanted by City - who could accept a player-plus-cash deal involving Goater.

But while McCarthy remains impotent in the transfer market, the Black Cats run a very high risk of seeing Goater join another club.

Haas arrived at The Hawthorns with a glowing endorsement from West Brom manager Gary Megson ringing in his ears.

Megson said: "Bernt is quick, strong and comfortable on the ball.

"He has Premiership, international and Champions League experience, and we're delighted to have him on board."

* Former Sunderland target, Silas, has signed for Premiership new-boys Wolves in a £1.5m deal. The Portuguese international has agreed a four-year deal and is seen as a goalscoring midfielder.

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