SUNDERLAND'S defensive problems worsened last night when Danny Collins revealed he had suffered a recurrence of his Achilles injury in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Hull.

With the start of the Premiership season now little more than a fortnight away, both Collins and fellow left-back George McCartney face a race against time to be fit for the visit of Charlton on August 13.

The duo's injury woes will increase Mick McCarthy's determination to land Stoke City left-back Clive Clarke, with the Black Cats boss already having had two bids turned down by the Britannia Stadium board.

But, while Sunderland are understood to have tabled an offer of £250,000, West Ham last night threatened to scupper their chances by making a £300,000 bid of their own for the 25-year-old.

Collins was a second-half substitute at the KC Stadium after a torn Achilles muscle sidelined him for the whole of the Black Cats' recent tour of North America.

But, while he had received the all-clear prior to the kick-off on Wednesday night, he woke yesterday morning to find himself back to square one.

"I was feeling good at Hull but, when I woke up on Thursday, I realised it had gone again and it was really swollen," said Collins.

"I already had the tear but we thought it had fully recovered. But I played in the game at Hull and felt it again the following morning. It had puffed up and, at the minute, I'm having to wear a protective boot to try and prevent any more damage."

Collins is almost certainly out of tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Sheffield United and is unlikely to play much of a role as the Black Cats complete their preparations with a trip to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on August 6.

The latest set-back represents a major blow to the former Chester defender and follows hot on the heels of a frustrating trip to Canada and the United States.

Collins picked up the injury just days before the Sunderland squad flew to North America and, while it seemed to be gradually improving during the trip, the use of artificial pitches left him kicking his heels on the sidelines.

"Pre-season is all about getting yourself fit and I had done that before we went to America," explained the 24-year-old. "But now I have to start all over again.

"I have done all the hard work, all the running. But as soon as the balls came out for the first time, I felt it go. I went to North America hoping that I would get it right, get myself fit and feature in some of the games, but it wasn't to be.

"I managed to get involved in a couple of training sessions towards the end and I might have had a chance of playing some part in Portland if it hadn't been for the pitch. It was a big blow to go all that way and not play a single game."

Collins provided valuable cover to Sunderland's first-choice back four last season, making 15 appearances as the Black Cats romped to the Championship title.

His opportunities were restricted by the impressive form of first-choice full-back McCartney, making his current injury woes all the more ironic.

McCartney lasted less than 25 minutes in Wednesday night's defeat before a recurrence of his hamstring injury forced him from the field.

"It makes it even worse that George has suffered another hamstring problem as well," admitted Collins.

"It would have been a good opportunity for me to get in there and get a couple of games under my belt while he is out. I can't believe my luck.

"Hopefully George will be back soon because he would be a big loss if he was out for any length of time. He was very important for us last season.

"I don't really care where I play - it would just be nice to get a game."

* Sunderland have confirmed that injury-plagued midfielder Colin Healy faces another three months on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on his knee.

Healy, who missed the whole of last season after breaking his leg on two separate occasions, broke down in training earlier this week after sustaining cartilage damage to his knee.

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