SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid is tracking highly-rated French striker Pierre-Yves Andre.

The Wearsiders are believed to have made contact with Nantes about £4m-rated Andre following Reid's failure to land a succession of strikers.

Having been turned down by Leeds United's Robbie Keane earlier in the summer, Sunderland have tried and failed to land a host of international forwards.

Reid is still hopeful of brokering a deal for £6m-rated Tore Andre Flo, but the Rangers star appears keen to stay in Glasgow and his wage demands approaching £40,000-a-week are a major stumbling block.

Sunderland have most recently been linked with Albanian international Igli Tare who plays for Italian club Brescia.

But despite his difficulties in the attacking department Reid is still strengthening other areas of the squad after the acquisition of Stephen Wright and Matthew Piper.

After completing the deal for 20-year-old Piper, Reid admitted: 'It's been quite frustrating for us in the transfer market."

Meanwhile, young striker Kevin Kyle is in contention for a place in the starting line-up for tomorrow's game at home to Everton.

The Scotland forward started for Bertie Vogts' side on Wednesday in the friendly against Denamrk, and despite the 1-0 defeat Kyle acquitted himself well.

Kyle, 21, was one of the few plus points in a performance Vogts described as "very disappointing" against the Danes, who included Sunderland's Thomas Sorensen.

The Black Cats striker, who is yet to make a first team start at the Stadium of Light, is hoping his international performances will kick-start his career at the Stadium of Light.

Kyle said: "I thought I did OK in a difficult game, but I didn't get a lot of service against a top quality side. Niall Quinn told me to go away with Scotland and do my best, and who knows what might happen with Sunderland.

"I would like to think I have helped myself by working very hard. But I know the pressure's always on to get a result in the Premiership, especially at home, so we'll have to wait and see."

* Sunderland fans will tomorrow be given the opportunity to pay their respects following recent child tragedies.

Supporters at the home game with Everton are invited to lay floral tributes in memory of both the murdered Cambridgeshire girls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, and following the cot death of Jake Craddock, the four-month-old son of centre-half Jody.

An area around the Murray Gates, near the main entrance in the West Stand, has been earmarked for the laying of wreaths and other floral tributes.

A minute's silence will also be staged, while the club has scaled down its pre-match entertainment.

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