SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy has rounded on the critics trying to rubbish the standard of football in Division One by telling them to 'shut it'.

Norwich City's rise to the top of the table has shocked many this season but instead of the Canaries receiving rave reviews pundits have pointed to the fact that they are there only because it is such a poor division.

Sunderland are 14 points adrift of Norwich - who have signed winger Kevin Cooper on loan until the end of the campaign after he failed to impress McCarthy - but are hot on the heels of today's opponents Reading, who occupy the final play-off place.

The Black Cats are one of a number of teams who have not given up hope of achieving automatic promotion this season and McCarthy said: "All the Herberts who think it's a poor division should try to play in it.

"There are people who say the Premier League isn't as good as it has been in previous years and there are always people who are like that.

"This is a bloody tough division and it has plenty of quality in it. If we get promoted then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

"Play-offs have added so much excitement. There is a real buzz about this division at the moment. It annoys me to hear that it's a bad league because I don't know what justification people have for saying it.

"They said exactly the same sort of thing last year because Portsmouth and Leicester walked it. I don't know where it comes from because it's a bloody hard league. You can only play what's up against you."

Sunderland travel to the Madejski Stadium today knowing better recent away form could have seen them challenging West Brom and Norwich for top spot.

But just two wins in their last six games away has halted their progress - particularly having drawn two of their last three home games since their last trip out of Wearside.

The teams occupying a top six place have regularly changed as no team seems capable of putting a winning run together.

Even Cardiff in 14th place still have serious eyes on moving up a division.

McCarthy said: "It's May 9 when the line counts. That's when they will be counting the teams up there. I'd like to be in the top two but at the minute I'd rather be in the top six.

"It's closed up very, very tight. All teams down to 14th are scrapping to get into the play-off places.

"I would rather be at the top than have games in hand because the points have got to be earned first.

"It's a far better position to be in. One win gets us in the play-offs though and that's what we have to be focused on.

"The top two have pulled away. Whether they can be caught is up to us. Until it's mathematically impossible I will be still going for the points."

Reading have lost just once in seven games and they succeeded in midweek where Sunderland had failed - by beating Cardiff City at Ninian Park.

The Royals, managed by Steve Coppell, have not been defeated on home soil since Boxing Day but they are without Adrian Williams today after he underwent knee surgery.

McCarthy is well aware of the threat posed by Reading, who are just a point above Sunderland. He said: "I am happy with the way things have gone for us this season.

"I think the games we have had recently have been under difficult circumstances, with all the games piling up. If we go down there and don't lose that will be a tremendous result for us."

Julio Arca is still ruled out with a knee injury, while Jason McAteer is doubtful with an abdominal strain. Darren Byfield is expected to make his first start up front.

* Sunderland's young full back Craig James has joined Second Division Port Vale on a month's loan.

James spent four weeks at Darlington before rejecting the chance to stay on for another spell.