KEVIN KYLE is already targeting a return to international football - more than three months before he is even ready to join his Sunderland team-mates back in full training.

The Black Cats striker has been boosted by a visit to the Colorado clinic of world-renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman, and is targeting a comeback for Mick McCarthy's side early in the new year.

The 23-year-old's positive outlook is a far cry from earlier in the summer when he believed his career could be in jeopardy after continually breaking down with a recurring hip problem.

Despite not starting a game for 12 months and being told he will spend the next six weeks on crutches, the former Irish Sea Ferries baggage handler already has his sights set on the World Cup qualifiers, believing he still has a lot to prove to the Scotland fans.

"The main thing is to get back into the Sunderland team but it will be nice to get back in the Scotland team because I feel as if I have had a lot of things to prove," said Kyle.

"I've never really established myself or done that well in the Scotland team for people to say pick Kevin Kyle. I did well for the Under 21 team but that was my level at the time but when I was played for the full side I wasn't even playing here.

"I remember having a few shockers and people giving me a bit of stick, so I've got that to make up.

"I'm sure once I'm fit and get back in the Sunderland first team and do well then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get another crack in the Scotland team."

Kyle is determined to help the national side continue their renaissance under Walter Smith, and is hoping they build on Saturday's fighting 1-1 draw against Italy in Norway tomorrow night.

And he revealed that Under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof had been in contact to wish him well in his recovery.

"I went to see Rainor Bonhoff about a hip specialist - Dr Muller Wolfhart - because I knew that he had a hip replacement in Germany," said Kyle.

"He (Bonhoff) phoned me up recently to ask how I was and he said he was pleased for me, which he didn't have to do.

"This is a World Cup winner running after me trying to get me sorted out with a German doctor and that just sums the man up.

"I have nothing but total respect for a man who has played at that level, and to take time out to see exactly how I was."

McCarthy, meanwhile, has all but confirmed he won't be forced into reverting back to the 4-4-2 formation that was so successful during Sunderland's Championship winning campaign.

The Sunderland boss cited how Everton used a 4-5-1 system to such great effect last season to finish fourth in the Premiership when many people had predicted that David Moyes' side would struggle to avoid the drop.

"I don't think we can afford to just play 4-4-2," said McCarthy, who has seen his side lose four on the trot back in the top flight and on Saturday face a daunting trip to play Premiership champions Chelsea.

"If you look at Everton last season, throughout almost all of it they played 4-5-1 and 4-3-3 and what they did was make it hard for teams to beat them.

"Personally, I don't think we can afford to go up against sides which are some of the best teams in Europe, never mind in England, playing like for like - going 4-4-2 and risk getting carved open.

"That's not a suggestion for a second that we look to defend for 90 minutes, but we can make it harder for the better teams; make a game of it.

"And I believe I've got the players at the club who can adapt to changes of system and make a success of it. Players I've been getting in have shown they can play in various different positions."

* Hull City have confirmed they are keen to bring Sunderland striker Chris Brown to the KC Stadium.

The 20-year-old has also been linked with a move to Sheffield United, and could be allowed to leave the Black Cats after dropping down the pecking order following the arrivals of Jon Stead, Andy Gray and Anthony Le Tallec.

Hull chairman Adam Pearson said: "He is someone we've been looking at but at least eight other clubs want him."

l West Brom's new £3million signing Curtis Davies has vowed to repay the faith of manager Bryan Robson as he looks forward to launching his Barclays Premiership career.

The 20-year-old defender had attracted interest from a host of Premiership clubs but Albion were the only ones willing to meet Luton's asking price on transfer deadline day last week.

He said: ''I just want to crack on now. The move did come as a bit of a shock as I did not find out that anyone had met the Luton's asking price until last Wednesday afternoon. It all happened a bit quickly but I am glad it went through.''