SUNDERLAND'S promotion push was given a massive boost last night when goalkeeper Mart Poom was passed fit for Sunday's crucial Stadium of Light showdown with West Brom.

The Estonia international, who picked up a dead leg in the latter stages of the 2-1 win over Wimbledon, lost his ever-present league tag when he was forced to sit out the Easter games against Sheffield United and Ipswich.

Black Cats number two Thomas Myhre stepped into the breach, but the Norwegian blotted his copybook by bringing down Darren Bent to concede the all-important penalty in Monday's 1-0 defeat at Portman Road.

Poom's fine form has been a major factor in Sunderland's rise up the First Division table, and the former Derby stopper is expected to vie with Norwich's Robert Green for a place in the PFA's Division One Team of the Year at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old will make his 50th appearance for the Black Cats this weekend after making a £2.5m move from Derby in January 2003.

And, after having to watch the Ipswich defeat from afar, he is desperate to help Sunderland stage a grandstand finish to the season.

"I'm hoping to resume training tomorrow with the rest of the team and my aim is to be fit for Sunday," said Poom. "It's obviously a huge game for us.

"I've been very fortunate with injuries this season and, apart from the Carling Cup game against Huddersfield, I've played in every game in the league and cup so it's been frustrating for me to be sidelined with this problem.

"I love to train every day so I'm always disappointed when I can't. Sometimes I try to do too much too soon because I'm desperate to play , but I'm grateful I've only had to miss two games."

Realistically, Sunderland need at least five wins from six if they are to claw back the nine-point deficit that currently separates them from the top two.

Anything less than three points on Sunday would all but close the door on an automatic return to the top-flight but, as well as having Poom available, Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy could also be boosted by the return of full-backs George McCartney and Stephen Wright.

Skipper McCartney has shook off the ankle problem that forced him out of the Easter programme, while Wright's thigh strain is responding well to treatment.

Tough-tackling midfielder Jeff Whitley will also be available to face the Baggies after marking his return to action with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves on Monday night.

Whitley has missed the last five games after receiving two red cards in the space of just ten days last month, and admits it wasn't easy to watch the Black Cats crash out of the FA Cup in his absence.

"It's been hard work watching and I was gutted to miss the semi-final," said Whitley. "It's been really frustrating.

"The good thing is that I've only been out for three weeks. It could have been a lot worse, but the fact that we've had a lot of games has worked in my favour.

"Sometimes when you get a long ban you're out for five or six weeks. I'm really pleased that it's come so quick.

"The gaffer has wanted me to stay involved and be among the lads, which I've done. I've travelled to most of the games and I can't wait for Sunday now."

Whitley is set to take the place of Jason McAteer on Sunday as the club captain is suspended following his dismissal in the Millwall defeat.

Fellow midfielder Paul Thirlwell has also been ruled out of the third-against-second clash after picking up a calf strain.

* Whitley and McCartney have both been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly against Serbia and Montenegro on April 28. The international game is sandwiched between crucial league games against Wigan and Crewe.

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