MART POOM is aiming to forget about Sunderland's depressing start to the Championship campaign by memorably earning his 100th international cap tonight.

The Black Cats goalkeeper, after reaching 99 not out in Saturday's win over Luxembourg, has been close to reaching the milestone on a number of occasions over the past six months.

However, injuries have restricted his appearances for his country and he has had to wait patiently for his chance to hit the century mark.

Tonight, when Estonia face Portugal in Leiria, Poom is expected to become a centurion and believes it will help boost his own confidence following Sunderland's alarming beginning to the season.

Mick McCarthy's side have picked up just five from a possible 18 points and are already well adrift of league leaders Wigan.

But Poom has enjoyed better fortunes for his country and is looking forward to entering the history books before returning to Wearside on Thursday to focus on the weekend trip to Gillingham.

"We go away now for international games, me included and it will be nice to get that little break to be honest," said Poom. "I was due to make my 100th cap over the summer but I missed out against Scotland and Denmark because of injury and that was a big frustration. I then couldn't play against Liechtenstein last month because of a back injury.

"It was the result of playing so many games for Sunderland last season. I was very disappointed and I have had to wait but I'm looking forward to winning my 100th cap it will be a great honour to do such a thing."

The back injury that restricted him in August meant he also had to allow Thomas Myhre the chance to stake a claim for his place in the Sunderland team.

Myhre now looks destined to remain at the Stadium of Light until at least next summer after pre-season moves to a number of clubs, including Crystal Palace, broke down.

But Poom is not too concerned about the competition the Norwegian will pose. Instead Sunderland's No 1 believes Myhre's availability can only help Sunderland to tighten up defensively.

"We are both experienced keepers and we both want to play," said Poom. "We are both internationals and we get on well with each other. That helps and we both encourage each other on the training ground.

"But the manager has got a difficult decision to make because we both want to play every game. Whoever plays has to make sure we keep hold of the jersey."

Sunderland look destined to miss out on Portsmouth midfielder Gary O'Neill after the south coast club issued a hands off warning to interested parties.

McCarthy was favourite to land the England Under-21 skipper but Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: "I've had several on to me about him already, but I won't let him go now."

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