SUNDERLAND have not ruled themselves out of the race for in-demand Everton striker Francis Jeffers.

While there have been unconfirmed reports that neighbours Newcastle United are first in line with a bid of £8m, the England Under-21 international is currently out of the country and no imminent deal is in the offing.

Other clubs linked with the player include Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur - but Sunderland are keeping close tabs on the situation.

I understand that Wearside boss Peter Reid asked Everton manager Walter Smith to let him know if Jeffers became available after the last Premiership game of the season at Goodison Park last month.

Smith has reluctantly decided to sell the young striker, who has refused an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Sunderland would have to almost double the current club transfer record of £4.5m paid last season for Brazilian central defender Emerson Thome, but the figure of £8m currently being bandied about could well turn out to be on the high side for a largely unproven talent.

Sunderland, however, want to be in with a shout and if Reid makes the player his prime summer transfer target he will receive the full backing of chairman Bob Murray.

Reid said last night: "I've made no approach to Everton but I know all about the lad.

"He's a good young player with potential and we are watching the situation."

Jeffers, who has played only 34 Premiership games for Everton, is eager to move on.

But nothing will be done until he returns from holiday at the end of the week, when he will seek a meeting with his manager to discuss exactly which clubs have shown an interest.

Arsenal - and the lure of Champions League football next season - might have the greatest appeal for Jeffers, but the 20-year-old Merseysider would certainly listen to what fellow Scouser Reid has to offer.

l England face a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the European Under-21 Championships next year after being outclassed by Greece in Athens last night.

Howard Wilkinson's side struggled to cope with the slick one-touch play of the Greeks who have regained top spot in the group after registering their fourth win in six games with a 3-1 win.

And, as tempers became frayed, Tottenham defender Luke Young and Chelsea defender John Terry were both red-carded in injury time.

England's first defeat of the tournament left them two points adrift of second-placed Germany and they will need a positive result when the two sides meet in September if they are to have any chance of qualifying through the play-offs.

Wilkinson's troops were quite simply second best in all departments, with only Terry and Fulham's Sean Davis emerging with much credit.

The dismissals of Terry and Young didn't cloud the fact that this was a disjointed performance from a side who appear to have gained no benefit from a week's training together in La Manga.

England were lightweight in attack and struggled to make much impression in midfield despite the inclusion of Joe Cole and Newcastle target Michael Carrick.

And it was Carrick who scored England's consolation with a 25-yard bullet.