HE might have been sidelined since mid-October, but forgotten man Mart Poom last night underlined his determination to wrestle back the number one spot in an attempt to keep Sunderland in the Premiership.

The Estonian international made 11 appearances in the early months of the campaign as the Black Cats gradually recovered from a stuttering start to the season.

But, after undergoing knee surgery in October, a series of further complications kept him on the sidelines as Sunderland won the Championship title in some style.

Poom was forced to watch on helplessly as second-choice stopper Thomas Myhre provided the defensive platform for the Wearsiders' success with a string of eye-catching displays.

The goalkeeping situation was clouded even further in the final three games of the season, with teenager Ben Alnwick flourishing in the first team and leading Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy to confirm that the number one spot was up for grabs ahead of pre-season training.

Poom accepts that his lengthy lay-off means he can no longer take his superior status for granted.

But, while he accepts that Myhre's weighty contribution has placed his own place in jeopardy, the 33-year-old has pledged to keep his team-mate out of the limelight next term.

"I am hoping to be back for pre-season training and I want to play a much bigger part in keeping this club in the Premiership, said Poom, who now faces the first challenge to his supremacy since he succeeded Thomas Sorenson in 2003.

"It will not be easy but I want to be the number one again here. Tommy and Ben have both shown what they can do. I played a small part in everything that has happened, but Tommy came in and did brilliantly when he was called upon.

" Now I have to prove to the manager that he should pick me for the opening game of the new season.

"It has been a great honour to be Sunderland's number one and I will do everything I can to make sure I have that shirt again next year."

While Sunderland's squad includes a host of youngsters eagerly awaiting their first taste of the top-flight, Poom is one of the few elder statesmen able to boast extensive Premiership experience.

The Estonian, who has spent seven seasons in the top-flight, joined Portsmouth in 1994 before moving to Derby three years later.

He quickly became a fans' favourite at Pride Park but, while his heroics helped keep the Rams in England's top division, he is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task facing his current employers next season.

"I've played in the Premiership before and I have no doubt that it's one of the greatest leagues in the world," said Poom.

"It's definitely one of the most entertaining and it's where a club of Sunderland's stature and with Sunderland's support deserves to be.

"It's going to be another challenge, but the players are all extremely hungry and we all want to stay there."

Meanwhile, Sunderland's proposed signing of Irish youngster Daryl Murphy is on the verge of collapse after the two parties failed to agree personal terms.

The Black Cats had agreed a fee of £100,000 with Murphy's current employers, Irish side Waterford, but have been unable to persuade the 22-year-old to sign on the dotted line at the Stadium of Light.

Reading boss Steve Coppell has been monitoring the situation closley - he travelled to Ireland on Friday night despite Waterford leaving Murphy out of their Eircom League game with Cork City - and the Royals are now expected to make a formal approach to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

"I haven't seen him play as yet," admitted Coppell. "But I have been told by my scout over here that he is the best player of his type in the league.

"I have been told that (the move to Sunderland) is not confirmed yet. I'm not sure what money I have available so I'm not sure whether we will be in a position to make many purchases."

Ipswich Town and Aberdeen are also understood to be lining up rival bids for Murphy, and Waterford officials will open new negotiations if Sunderland cannot finalise a deal by this evening.

* QPR boss Ian Holloway is ready to offer Marcus Stewart a Championship lifeline, despite the striker's claims that he would prefer to end his career with boyhood heroes Bristol City.

Holloway, who played with Stewart at Bristol Rovers, is hoping to use the 32-year-old's extensive experience to spearhead his side's pursuit of the Premiership.

* Gillingham are looking for a new manager after the club were unable to agree terms with Stan Ternent for next season.

The Gills were relegated from the Championship on the last day of the season despite a slight improvement in performances since Ternent arrived in December.

Chairman Paul Scally had been hoping to secure his services for their return to League One but after protracted negotiations Ternent has decided to leave the club.

However Scally is confident of having a new manager in place by Friday but has already ruled out a possible return to the hot seat from Andy Hessenthaler.

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