MOROCCAN Talal El-Karkouri is on the verge of turning his back on Sunderland's doomed relegation fight.

The centre-back, who only arrived from Paris St Germain in January, is understood to be in negotiations over a lucrative short-term move to the Middle East.

Sources in Qatar claim El-Karkouri is in advanced talks with affluent club Al-Sadd and could arrive in the capital Doha as early as tomorrow.

Al-Sadd are thought to be prepared to offer the 27-year-old £225,000 for two months work, as they bid to succeed in the Emir and Crown-Prince Cup competitions.

The league action in Qatar ended last week and Al-Sadd, who finished runners-up to underdogs Qatar SC, are determined to boost their Cup hopes with the double acquisition of El-Karkouri and fellow country-man Youssef Chippo, of Coventry.

Sunderland's loan star is wanted as a replacement for versatile Slovenian Fabian Sipot.

The Black Cats are keen to keep hold of the North African's services until the end of the current campaign at least, but he is known to be keen on teaming up with Chippo at Al-Sadd.

Just recently El-Karkouri had suggested he was desperate to make a go of life on Wearside, despite the club's perilous position at the bottom of the Premiership.

And the defender has previously insisted he was willing to move to the Stadium of Light on a permanent basis in the summer, even if he is playing at a lower level.

He said recently: "When I first decided to come here, some of my friends asked me why I wanted to go to a club that was near the bottom of the Premiership.

"I'd like to stay at Sunderland, whether they are in the Premiership or the First Division next season.

"I'm not thinking that I don't want to play in Division One if the team gets relegated this season, because if that does happen you can be sure they will be back straight away and I would like to be part of that."

Meanwhile, Sunderland's reserve goalkeeper Mart Poom is on standby to replace Thomas Sorensen at Birmingham on Saturday.

Sorensen picked up a back injury in the defeat to Chelsea last weekend and is in a battle to be fit for the trip to St Andrews.

However, the Danish No 1 is expected to recover although he admits he has got a problem.

He said: "The back's stiff and I'll have to be careful but I should be ready for the Birmingham game."

Poom is yet to start for Sunderland's first team since making the move from Derby County in November.

Sorensen also heaped praise on Sunderland young guns Sean Thornton and Kevin Kyle.

Midfielder Thornton and striker Kyle impressed during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

And Sorensen believes the pair will be a big factor in turning the club's fortunes around.

"I was impressed with Sean and Kevin Kyle against Chelsea," said Sorensen, who knows defeat to Birmingham on Saturday will condemn Mick McCarthy's side to relegation.

"They will be important to this club in the years to come. They both had very good games."

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