SUNDERLAND are ready to make a fresh attempt to sign Michael Chopra on loan from neighbours Newcastle after dropping their interest in Darren Byfield.

The Black Cats have told Byfield that he has no future at the Stadium of Light, and withdrawn the offer of a two-year deal that was made at the end of last season.

And, with Tommy Smith also having left Wearside in the close season, boss Mick McCarthy is set to sound out Newcastle about the possibility of taking Chopra on loan.

Byfield, who scored five goals in 17 games after joining Sunderland in February, was offered a new deal following May's play-off defeat to Crystal Palace.

But, when his agent Jonathan Barnett tried to negotiate a better deal, the Black Cats opted to end discussions and withdraw their original offer. This has caused some controversy as, while Sunderland are adamant they have acted within their rights, Barnett has asked the PFA to look into the legality of the club's move.

"It's been forwarded to me," admitted PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire. "At this moment they've (Barnett and Byfield) asked me to get involved and I will take it up with the club and, if it's necessary, take it on further with the Football League.

"It's a matter of re-engagement and one I will be looking at carefully." Byfield is currently caught in the crossfire of the dispute and, while he spent yesterday fitness training with Walsall, the striker is keen to see the situation resolved sooner rather than later.

The Jamaica international is still keen to sign for Sunderland but, with the club prepared to dig their heels in over the matter, his future would seem to lie elsewhere.

"I haven't spoken to Mick McCarthy or the club directly since the end of last season," said Byfield. "I leave all that stuff to my agent. I want to sign for Sunderland but my agent's telling me there's no deal now. I'm in limbo really. If the contract's not on the table, we'll have to look around."

Byfield's departure means that Sunderland now have just three strikers on their books, with new signing Stephen Elliott lining up alongside Kevin Kyle and Marcus Stewart.

Elliott is something of an unknown quantity and, with question marks over Stewart's ability to stay injury-free amidst the demands of a 46-game season, McCarthy is keen to bolster his strikeforce before Sunderland's squad depart for a pre-season tour of the United States next Sunday.

The former Republic of Ireland boss tried to sign Chopra on loan from the Magpies last season, but his advances were rebuffed by Sir Bobby Robson. However, with the England Under-21 international as far down the St James' Park pecking order as ever, McCarthy is ready to try his luck again.

The Sunderland boss is also continuing to monitor Rangers striker Steve MacLean and Swindon frontman Sam Parkin.

MacLean, who spent most of last season on loan at Scunthorpe, has been told he has no future at Ibrox.

Second Division side Sheffield Wednesday have been given permission to speak to the 21-year-old, although MacLean last night admitted: "I do have a number of other options to consider".

Sunderland had Parkin watched on a number of different occasions last season, although Swindon last week underlined their desire to keep him by turning down a £250,000 offer from Hull City.

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