SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid will take his players to the Continent for three friendly matches as part of their pre-season build-up.

The Wearside boss had originally planned to travel to Ireland as he did last year, but has decided instead to play games in France and Holland.

Sunderland will open their programme with a friendly against the French side Le Havre on Sunday, July 23 at the Municipal Jule-Deschaseaux Stadium, with a 3pm kick-off.

The remaining two fixtures both take place in Holland, with the first against Fortuna Sittard at the De Baandert Stadium on Tuesday, August 8 (7.30pm) and the second against SC Heerenveen at the Abe Lenstra Stadium on Saturday, August 12 (3pm).

Sunderland's players report back for training today and Reid is still hoping to add four new players to his squad before the new season gets underway.

His first signing is likely to be the 21-year-old midfielder Tom Peeters, who has agreed a £250,000 move from Mechelen, while Glasgow Rangers skipper Lorenzo Amoruso could be the next to follow in a £3m deal.

Amoruso, who is currently back home in Italy, travelled to England last week for talks with Reid and is awaiting Sunderland's response to his financial requirements, which would make him one of the highest paid players at the club.

The 29-year-old central defender, who has helped Rangers lift five trophies in his two years at Ibrox, is resigned to leaving the Glasgow club and has admitted that he is close to reaching an agreement with Sunderland.

l One of Sunderland's highest wage-earners, Thomas Helmer, is set to return to Germany on a free transfer after making only one Premiership start for the Wearsiders last season.

Helmer, signed on a free under the Bosman ruling last summer, is believed to be returning to his homeland to sign up with Second Division outfit Saarbrucken.

Helmer suffered a serious ankle injury while playing on loan last season for Hertha Berlin in a European Championship match against Chelsea and returned to Sunderland to complete his recovery.

l Ben Thatcher has fixed his sights on an England call-up after completing his £5m move to Tottenham.

The Swindon-born defender made the expected switch from Wimbledon and joined George Graham and his new team-mates, running in Epping Forest on the first day of pre-season yesterday.

Graham has already splashed out £11m on Sergei Rebrov and lured Neil Sullivan from Wimbledon on a free transfer as he looks to recreate former glories at White Hart Lane.

Thatcher is confident happier days lie ahead for the north London club and knows success for Spurs can only help him achieve his personal ambitions at international level. Graham has earmarked him to play at left-back although he can also play in the centre of defence.

Thatcher said: ''It's an ambition of mine to get into the England squad. I want to concentrate on getting in the first team at Tottenham and playing well."

l Birmingham have signed Fulham striker Geoff Horsfield for a club record £2.25m.

The 26-year-old former Halifax hitman has agreed a five-year deal with Trevor Francis' side