LIAM LAWRENCE'S arrival at Sunderland was marked by the departure of striker Tommy Smith last night.

Smith, along with Darren Byfield and John Oster, has been in negotiations with the Black Cats over a new deal since the end of the season.

But, during a break in talks, Derby County have pounced to persuade the 24-year-old to opt for a move to Pride Park instead of staying on Wearside.

Sunderland had hoped to agree terms with Smith, although the player's reluctance to sign means that Mick McCarthy will now have more bargaining power in his attempts to strengthen.

The quick forward was only signed by McCarthy last September on a free transfer after a successful spell on trial at the club.

Smith turned his back on Watford last summer and he has once again moved to exercise his freedom of contract by joining George Burley's Derby for nothing.

And Smith insists it was a difficult decision to make but he is convinced both clubs will be pushing for promotion out of the Coca-Cola Championship next season.

"There was a bit of a gap in talks and Derby got in contact with me," said Smith, who actually scored for Sunderland against the Rams in March.

"I spoke to George and everything that was said appealed to me. It was a tough choice because both Sunderland and Derby are fabulous clubs.

"I gave a lot of consideration to the offer and Derby just pipped it. There is a lot of ambition. We have to see how the season starts. We don't want to start saying Premiership but there is a quiet confidence."

Confirmation of Smith's switch came just hours after Sunderland revealed they had completed the signing of promising Mansfield winger Lawrence.

The 22-year-old, whose fee will be decided by a tribunal, has signed a one-year deal at the Stadium of Light after turning down a number of other top clubs.

There were reports that a proposed transfer to Leeds had broken down over fears surrounding a knee injury that required an operation this summer.

However, the attacking midfielder's agent Alex Black said: "It was minor knee surgery which had been put off due to Mansfield's involvement in the play-offs but he has come through that successfully.

"It was never the case that a deal with Leeds hinged on that. I've not heard anything like that. The operation might mean he has to start pre-season a little late but it will only be a couple of weeks."

Lawrence scored 22 goals for the Stags last season and his 12-month deal could be extended by another two years next summer.

And the player, who can play anywhere across the midfield, said: "It's a great chance for me to move up two divisions and show people what I can do. I like to get forward, get crosses in and trying to score goals myself."

* Newcastle United are ready to pull the plug on their attempts to persuade Benfica to part with full-back Miguel. The two clubs have been unable to agree a fee for the defender, part of the Portugal side that knocked England out of Euro 2004, even though Magpies midfielder Hugo Viana was willing to move in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

It is understood Benfica, who value Miguel at £9m, were demanding £4m plus Viana if any deal was going to be concluded.

However, Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson is reluctant to sanction such a move particularly when Viana cost £8.5m two years ago.

Now Robson is ready to focus on his other right-back targets - with Hatem Trabelsi, Danny Mills, Mario Melchiot and Michael Reiziger all possibilities.

* Middlesbrough are ready to step up their bid for their top two strike targets after Patrick Kluivert edged closer to a move to Atletico Madrid. Kluivert's representatives held talks with Boro earlier in the close-season but he preferred to move to Manchester, London, Italy or Spain.

Now he appears to be close to agreeing terms with Atletico; ending any hopes Boro, or Newcastle, may have had of persuading the Dutchman to come to the North-East.

But Northern Echo SPORT understands Riverside boss Steve McClaren remains convinced he can complete a £9m double swoop for Leeds striker Mark Viduka and Portsmouth's Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Pompey, who have made moves to sign strikers Marcus Bent and Lomana LuaLua, are now privately resigned to losing Yakubu who fancies a move to a side playing European football next season - Boro fit the bill.

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