KEVIN KYLE'S season of disappointment that was threatening to end on a high finally came to a depressingly predictable halt at Durham City last night.

After scoring eight goals in his last two reserve team appearances, the striker lasted just 30 minutes against Liverpool Reserves before the hip injury that has plagued him since last summer flared up again in the second string's 0-0 draw at Archibalds' Stadium.

The former Irish Sea Ferries baggage handler had the ball in the net in the 12th minute with a powerful header only to be penalised for pushing, and that was the only clear cut chance of the night for the home side.

That indeed is likely to Kyle's last competitive bow before next season, and the injury will be another crushing blow for the 23-year-old who had hoped to play a part in the Wearsiders' promotion run-in.

And McCarthy admitted yesterday the Scotland international was desperate to be involved at Ipswich on Sunday. Speaking ahead of last night's reserve team game, McCarthy said: "Kevin Kyle is trying to make up for lost time, he's chomping at the bit to get involved. He's keeping alright and putting a good face on things."

Kyle's last first team appearance was at Reading last August and Sunderland will be working throughout the summer to ensure he is available and fully fit for the start of next season.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats are not ruling out the possibility of bringing in a new face for Sunday's promotion showdown at Portman Road after a stroke of misfortune left them in the midst of a goalkeeper crisis.

With Mart Poom already ruled out for the rest of the season after a second knee operation and Thomas Myhre battling to overcome a side-strain picked up in Saturday's defeat to Reading, Sunderland were ready to turn to two of the younger pros.

But England Under-18 international Ben Alnwick is missing after a personal bereavement and Michael Ingham suffered whiplash during Monday night's reserves trip to Bolton.

Ingham, expected to leave on a free transfer in the summer, was asleep on the team coach heading for Lancashire when the driver braked suddenly and the player has been struggling since.

The 24-year-old is almost certainly going to be absent at Portman Road and Sunderland are working hard on trying to make sure Myhre is fit.

But Sunderland boss McCarthy has admitted there is a chance that he could explore the possibility of bringing in a new face ahead of the game - despite the transfer deadline passing last month.

"There's a rule that if you're absolutely desperate you can bring a keeper in. If we were playing today then I'd be asking the question because we've not got anybody," said McCarthy.

"No keepers trained yesterday at all. Academy keeper Trevor Carson had to play for the reserves against Liverpool last night and I'm hoping on Tommy Myhre."

Ingham's appearance against Reading at the weekend was his first of the season for Sunderland and only his third start of the campaign in total - having played twice for Doncaster during a loan spell in November.

Sunderland: Carson, Lynch, Smith, Christenson, Neil Collins, Leadbitter, Piper (Kingsbury 62), Allen, Kyle (Davison 33), Graham, Dennehy.

* Brentford could face disciplinary charges from the Football Association for failing to control their fans during the League One match against Tranmere on Tuesday.

Referee Grant Hegley's report has been sent to Soho Square citing ''aggressive and threatening behaviour'' and alleged racial comments made by Bees fans to opposition players.

Read more about Sunderland here.