SUNDERLAND are facing the prospect of being without Julio Arca for the first seven games of the season after confirmation of the fixtures for next month's Olympics football tournament.

The versatile left-footer is almost certain to be named in the Argentinian squad for the two-and-a-half-week competition in Athens.

And, while Arca will be available for Sunderland's pre-season programme, he would be expected to join up with his compatriots ahead of the club's opening Coca Cola League Championship fixture with Coventry on August 7.

Argentina have been drawn in Group C of the Olympic competition, along with Australia, Tunisia and Serbia and Montenegro, and are being hotly tipped to challenge for a medal.

The South Americans will kick off their campaign against Serbia on August 11, before taking on Tunisia four days later and Australia on August 17.

Qualification from the group stage would see Argentina play a quarter-final on August 21, with a possible semi-final and final appearance to come in the following seven days.

A successful campaign would keep Arca in Greece until the start of September, ruling him out of league games against Coventry, Crewe, QPR, Plymouth, Wigan and Reading, as well as the Black Cats' opening match in the Carling Cup.

Sunderland successfully appealed against Arca's call-up for the Olympic qualifiers in January but, with the finals tournament being officially recognised by FIFA, they would be powerless to prevent the 23-year-old jetting off for Athens.

The Argentinian authorities have stressed that they will be sending their stongest possible squad to the games, and Arca has hinted that he is keen to represent his country in the Olympics.

The team will be managed by national coach Marcelo Bielsa, and Arca sees the competition as an ideal opportunity to press his claims for full international recognition.

The youngster was forced to miss the final six games of last season with a knee injury, and any extension to his absence would be a major blow to Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy.

McCarthy received some better news yesterday when John Oster finally put pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

The Wales international has opted to stay at the Stadium of Light after making 48 appearances last season, and is desperate to help Sunderland improve on their third-place finish.

"Our aim is to go one better," said Oster, who was being linked with a possible move to West Ham before the London side failed in their bid to reach the top-flight. "Last season was the best of my career.

"It was the season I played the most football, so it was good for me personally, although obviously it was disappointing as we didn't go up.

"Next year I hope to contribute a bit more in terms of goals. Everyone's got to, especially the lads in midfield."

* Sunderland's opening Coca Cola League Championship fixture at Coventry has been put back to 5.35pm for live coverage on Sky TV.

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