NEW Sunderland centre-back Phil Babb is refusing to close the door on his international career after completing a summer switch to Wearside.

The 32-year-old, who has 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has not played for his country since a 2-1 win over South Africa in June 2000.

But Babb, fresh from two years in Portugal where he was outstanding for Sporting Lisbon, is convinced he can work his way back into the Republic's plans again.

The defender's Sunderland teammate Niall Quinn, 36, has called time on life with Mick McCarthy's side but Babb is refusing to follow suit - despite spending over two years in the international wilderness.

"The door has not closed there because there is still an opportunity for me to get in there if I play well," said Babb, who arrived at the Stadium of Light last month on a free transfer. "You never know.

"But I will certainly not be calling it a day on that side of things, I will be just seeing how things go."

Babb, who spent six years at Liverpool after signing in 1994, is likely to play his first game for Sunderland on Saturday against French side Amiens.

And the ex-Coventry City man is likely to be joined in the starting line-up by summer signing Thomas Myhre.

The pair have been put through their paces all week at Sunderland's training base in Le Touquet, and Myhre has been delighted with how quickly he has got to know his new teammates.

"It's been hard work but enjoyable," said Myhre, a former Everton goalkeeper, who signed from Turkish side Besiktas earlier this month.

"At this stage it's all about getting things right for that first Premiership game. I've settled in very well and I'm looking forward to our first friendly."

Meanwhile, Black Cats boss Peter Reid has still not been able to capture a centre-forward to play alongside star man Kevin Phillips.

Sunderland have been continuing talks with Leeds front-man Robbie Keane's agent over a £8m move, but the striker is still refusing to make the short switch further north.

Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo is another man being tracked by Reid.

And while the Sunderland boss appears to be hitting a wall in his attempts to snap up a forward, it is believed Aston Villa are preparing a bid to land midfielder Kevin Kilbane.

Villans manager Graham Taylor is a big fan of the ex-West Brom man and he is understood to be willing to pay around £3m for the player.

* Everton manager David Moyes will step up his search for new players today when he arrives back in England from the club's pre-season trip to Austria, writes KEN GAUNT.

China World Cup defender Li Weifeng arrives next week on a 12-month loan deal from Shenzhen Pingan. Moyes has made no secret of the fact he wants a new goalkeeper, with Derby's Mart Poom top of his list.

However, the Scottish boss is anxious to strengthen other departments with the season only weeks away.

Chief executive Michael Dunford said: ''The matter about the goalkeeper will be driven by David Moyes and Bill Kenwright (vice-chairman).

''I am certain one of David's first phone calls when he arrives back will be to see what progress we are making in respect of strengthening the squad generally.

''It is not just a goalkeeper we are looking at but other positions the manager wishes to improve on.''

Weifeng's arrival, subject to a work permit being granted, coincides with Everton sealing a two-year multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Chinese company Kejian.

He played in all three World Cup matches for China after making his name for the Olympic side.

Read more about Sunderland here.