TALAL EL-KARKOURI'S worst fears were realised last night when he was told he would not be on Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy's retained list.

The Moroccan defender arrived on loan from Paris St Germain in January and he has recently revealed he would like to remain on Wearside, despite facing the prospect of playing First Division football in August.

El-Karkouri, who was a last-minute capture by former boss Howard Wilkinson before the closure of the transfer window, played nine times for the Black Cats.

The PSG star missed the club's last four Premiership matches through injury, but he had shown in his previous appearances that he was capable of becoming one of the best defenders at the Stadium of Light.

However, he never finished on the winning side as Sunderland slipped to a record 16 successive Premiership defeats.

And a club spokesperson confirmed: "Talal El Karkouri came to the club on loan and it was never envisaged that his stay would last beyond the season just finished."

El-Karkouri, who was thought to have been close to a lucrative switch to Qatar recently, is the latest defender to be told he has no long-term future under McCarthy.

Former club record buy Emerson Thome, Irishman Phil Babb and Swedish Joachim Bjorklund have all been allowed to leave for nothing.

And now McCarthy will be turning his attentions to bolstering his depleted rearguard ahead of their Nationwide League campaign.

Experienced Australian defender Tony Vidmar is thought to have been targeted after being released by North-East neighbours Middlesbrough.

It has been reported that Vidmar, who made 15 appearances for Boro after impressing on a trial last summer, is in talks with Sunderland.

Along with Vidmar, Manchester City's Republic of Ireland centre-back Richard Dunne remains high on McCarthy's wanted list and over the weekend Hexham-born Steve Davis, freed by Burnley, revealed he would jump at the chance to sign for Sunderland.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats have revealed that they have started talks with unnamed clubs over the sale of star striker Kevin Phillips.

The expected race for the front-man's signature seems to be about to hot up with a number of clubs considering making bids.

And a spokesperson said: "There have been early discussions and these are ongoing."

No bids are thought to have been received as yet, but it seems only a matter of time before would-be suitors make their move.

Boro boss Steve McClaren is known to want Phillips at the Riverside, but it is thought he is not prepared to pay the £4m asking price.

McClaren, though, faces tough competition for the player's signature with top-flight rivals Aston Villa, Tottenham and Blackburn all keen on Phillips.

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