HOWARD WILKINSON will not sell Thomas Sorensen during the transfer window, despite the permanent signing of Mart Poom.

The Sunderland manager is determined not to leave Jurgen Macho as the club's only fit senior goalkeeper in the continued absence through injury of Poom and Thomas Myhre.

Sorensen, a long-time target of Arsenal, has just 18 months remaining on his contract and the arrival of Poom on a 3-year deal gave Wilkinson the option of cashing in on the Denmark international.

But with Sorensen set to be on the bench against Blackburn Rovers today, Wilkinson promised the 26-year-old would definitely stay at Sunderland at least until the summer.

He said: "In the short term, I've got two goalkeepers available to me - Jurgen Macho and Thomas Sorensen - and I can't be in a situation where I've only got one fit goalkeeper."

Poom, who has cost Sunderland little more than £1m, expects to return to full training in a fortnight's time after struggling to shake off a back injury.

Myhre is out with a thigh problem, while Sorensen is lacking match practice after recovering from a dislocated elbow sustained at the start of October.

Wilkinson added: "Jurgen's contract expires in the summer and we're currently negotiating a new one. Whether those talks will reach a successful conclusion, no-one knows.

"The Premier League relaxed its rules in November because we were in the mire.

"Thomas Myhre is still injured and Thomas Sorensen hasn't played since then.

"I was in a situation where I had Jurgen Macho and literally no-one else.

"At the moment, the course of action that was justifiable in November is still justifiable now.

"I still don't have Thomas Myhre or Mart Poom, and there is still the situation with Jurgen Macho's contract."

Poom, 30, could have joined Everton from Derby County last summer but the Rams rejected three bids from the Blues, including a final offer of £4m.

Manchester United also made three enquiries about the Estonia international while he was at Derby, including one before the start of this season.

The First Division side had to offload Poom to alleviate crippling debts - a position that Sunderland are desperate to avoid by winning their relegation battle.

Poom said: "All the clubs that have dropped out of the Premiership have found it very difficult.

"I thought I'd be staying at Derby when they turned down a good bid from Everton. But the situation was so bad that they had to let me go.

"Sunderland are a massive club with great support, and nobody here is thinking about relegation.

"Staying up is the only goal for the rest of the season, and I believe we can do that. The performances over Christmas were very encouraging but we were unlucky."

Wilkinson admitted last night that he wants to recall Bernt Haas from his loan period at Basle - but is prevented from doing so.

Right-backs Stephen Wright and Mark Rossiter were both hurt at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday, adding to Sunderland's injury problems.

Wilkinson said: "I'd bring back Bernt Haas if I could, but I can't do that. I would have done that straightaway if I'd been able to."

Sunderland's injury-hit team will be looking to end a five-game winless run against Blackburn, who will meet the victors of Tuesday's FA Cup third round replay between the Black Cats and Bolton.

Wilkinson is envious of the legacy left to Graeme Souness by the late Jack Walker, and added: "Because of the financial arrangements at Blackburn, they can do a lot of things that a club of their size wouldn't normally be able to do.

"As a consequence of that, they have a large squad that is full of quality and they can play through injuries.

"With the results come confidence, and they're in both cup competitions and are doing well in the League."

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