MICHAEL Ingham's dislocated finger may have put his international ambitions on hold - but it has saved cash-strapped Sunderland £30,000.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper was expected to make his Northern Ireland debut in Wednesday night's friendly with Caribbean minnows St Kitts & Nevis.

But, while saving shots in training, Ingham injured his finger and was immediately taken to the local hospital for treatment.

The problem kept him on the sidelines as Lawrie Sanchez's side strolled to a 2-0 win, but it had a knock-on benefit for the Black Cats.

When Ingham signed from Cliftonville in July 1999, Sunderland agreed to pay the Irish side £30,000 if he went on to make a full international appearance.

The youngster has yet to establish himself in the Black Cats' first team, but Sanchez is keen to groom him as a potential long-term successor to Maik Taylor and Roy Carroll.

The former Wycombe boss had promised Ingham a run-out as part of his side's summer tour, but the keeper's finger injury has scuppered those plans.

Meanwhile, midfielder Carl Robinson is on the verge of signing a permanent deal with the Black Cats.

Robinson made six First Division starts for Sunderland after joining on loan from Portsmouth towards the end of last season, scoring the only goal of the game as Mick McCarthy's side beat champions Norwich at the Stadium of Light.

Pompey have told the 27-year-old that he has no future at Fratton Park and, after talks with McCarthy earlier this week, he is ready to make a permanent move to Wearside.

Robinson, who also enjoyed loan spells at Rotherham and Sheffield United last season, played in both of Wales' recent friendlies against Norway and Canada.

* Former Sunderland assistant Steve Cotterill last night set about bolstering Burnley's threadbare squad after being appointed as Stan Ternent's successor at Turf Moor.

Cotterill, 39, signed a three-year contract with the First Division side after beating off competition from Steve McMahon, Brian Flynn and Ronnie Moore.

The former Cheltenham boss spent most of last season on Leicester City's coaching staff after enduring an ill-fated five-month spell at Sunderland as Howard Wilkinson's number two.

Burnley currently have just eight professionals under contract, but Cotterill said: "I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great challenge - but without a challenge there is no achievement."

* Sunderland will play a pre-season friendly at Scunthorpe United on Thursday, July 29 (7.30pm).

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