SEAN Thornton is refusing to give up on his Sunderland career despite being told he will not be part of the squad that travels to North America next week.

The Irish midfielder will be left on Wearside when the rest of his team-mates fly to Canada on Tuesday after being dumped on the transfer list at the end of last season.

Boss Mick McCarthy has told Thornton he does not feature in his plans ahead of the new Premiership campaign.

But, despite being snubbed again when McCarthy revealed his squad for the club's four-game pre-season tour, the 22-year-old is refusing to admit defeat.

He will hold further talks with the Sunderland manager later this week in an attempt to engineer a short-term loan move that will give him a chance to underline his value.

"Sean isn't going to be going on the tour to North America," confirmed Thornton's agent, Lee Payne. "He has already been told they will not be taking him.

"That is a big blow for him and he will have to stay behind and work with the kids and the reserves.

"He will be talking again to Mick McCarthy. Sean has already told him he will do anything to stay. He is desperate to prove himself at that club.

"Sean feels that if he could go out on loan somewhere - even if it were to a league below - it would be a good chance for him to get back to playing football and he would hopefully be able to work his way back in at Sunderland. He loves the club and will look at every option."

Payne has been in discussion with a number of Championship clubs who are interested in securing Thornton's services.

The midfielder scored four goals in just seven starts for the Black Cats last term and has never lost his appeal to the Stadium of Light faithful.

But, with a host of players available on a free transfer, it could be another month until his future becomes clear.

"We are locked in a bit of a stalemate," admitted Payne. "Because the transfer window doesn't close for another few weeks, clubs are playing games with each other.

"Sunderland are holding out for a fee whereas the clubs interested in Sean are hoping that the longer it drags on, the more pressure Sunderland will be under to let him go."

The Black Cats made their sixth signing of the summer yesterday when teenage novice Martin Woods signed a one-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

The 19-year-old midfielder left Leeds earlier this summer after making just one appearance for the Yorkshire side, ironically as a substitute at the Stadium of Light last December.

"I'm delighted to move here," said Woods, who made five appearances for Hartlepool during a loan spell in the North-East last autumn.

"My aim now is to force my way into the first-team and hopefully I'll be able to do that next season."

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