MICK McCARTHY last night refused to rule out a return to Sunderland for foreign flops Bernt Haas and Lilian Laslandes.

Both players became surplus to requirements under the Peter Reid regime and were farmed out on season-long loans back in August.

But McCarthy, who took over from Howard Wilkinson last month, has admitted he could still try to persuade them to come back to Wearside.

If the Sunderland boss decides to take that course of action, he may have his work cut out once the inevitable relegation is confirmed.

McCarthy suggested, though, he has yet to make up his mind about the players and does not know if either is keen on coming back.

"I saw Haas playing for Switzerland and he played very well,'' said McCarthy. "I haven't seen Lilian Laslandes but he's doing exceptionally well, I'm told.

"He's captaining his side and he's the leading scorer so he can't be doing any better than that.

"I won't do anything about their futures at the moment, it's extremely difficult when two players have been out on loan for so long.

"I haven't spoken to them and I haven't spoken to their agents. I don't know what the position is.

"First and foremost I have had to attempt a fire-fighting job and I will look at players coming in and out further down the line."

Haas, a right-back, has played a major part in unfancied Basle's Champions League campaign.

And, prior to Wilkinson being sacked, the 24-year-old indicated he would seriously consider making a return to the Stadium of Light.

"I have a year left on my Sunderland contract and would gladly go back," said Haas, who remains good friends with Sunderland keeper Jurgen Macho.

"I only came to Switzerland because Peter Reid made it clear he didn't want me. I was a regular in the team until I got a hamstring injury, and Peter Reid never properly spoke to me again."

However, Frenchman Laslandes - a £3.6m buy from Bordeaux - is likely to pour scorn on any opportunity of a return.

The 31-year-old striker slammed Reid for not giving him enough time to impress.

And he also suggested after being dumped by Reid that he would rather quit the professional game than play for Sunderland.

The Black Cats' supporters were also not big admirers of the towering front-man's talents after he disappointed in his 29 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, crocked midfielder Claudio Reyna has pledged his future to the club, despite facing up to playing First Division football.

Reyna has not kicked a ball since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage at Bolton in October.

But the United States skipper, who attracted interest from a number of clubs after his showing in last summer's World Cup, is determined to help Sunderland bounce straight back up.

"I'm all set for the challenge no matter what happens," said Reyna, who knows his side are just one defeat away from relegation. "The reality is we're going down so we have to regroup and not sulk as a club. We have to be ready for next season.

"If we're in the First Division it'll be a gruelling campaign but with the players we have here and with our fans there's no reason why we shouldn't spring back."

Read more about Sunderland here.