AFTER keeping five clean sheets in his last seven appearances, Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom was described as a man every Championship club would love to have in their team by manager Mick McCarthy.

Poom is the main reason why Norwegian international goalkeeper Thomas Myhre continually vents his frustrations to the media about lack of first team football.

Myhre deputised for the No 1 earlier in the season but lost his place as soon as the Estonian returned from injury.

McCarthy, who admits Myhre can leave if he can find a club, insists Poom has vindicated the manager's decision with a string of fine displays since making his comeback - the latest being against Millwall on Saturday.

Half an hour into the game with the Lions Poom made an exceptional save to keep the Black Cats level.

The 32-year-old somehow turned striker Mark McCammon's close-range strike, after Jo Tessem's effort deflected off Steve Caldwell into the front-man's path, on to the bar and the ball was cleared to safety.

McCarthy, whose side travel to Watford tomorrow night, said: "Every club in this league would take Mart off us and I would say there are quite a few Premier clubs who would look on enviously. He made one terrific save that has really given us the win."

McCarthy also hailed the displays of his centre-backs, Steve Caldwell and Neill Collins.

Collins, a £25,000 signing from Scottish minnows Dumbarton, is only in the side while skipper Gary Breen serves his suspension, which keeps him out of the trip to Watford.

But McCarthy, himself a former centre-back at Millwall, admits the Scottish duo have given him plenty of food for thought ahead of Breen's return.

"Neill Collins looked very accomplished and Steve has got a good partnership going there," he said. "Steve has been excellent, he's more aggressive in the air and that was an area that we were not adjusting to earlier in the season. We addressed it and we handle that better now."

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