Coca-Cola Divisions: Sunderland

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy will not be renewing the contracts of Jason McAteer, Joachim Bjorklund and Phil Babb.

McCarthy has also told Paul Thirlwell, Michael Reddy and youngsters Mark Rossiter, Simon Ramsden and Patrick Collins they do not feature in his plans.

But the former Republic of Ireland boss is still in talks with Jeff Whitley, Tommy Smith, Darren Byfield, John Oster, Richie Ryan and Neil Teggart about renewing their deals, which expire next month.

Sunderland have revealed that they will be releasing eight players when their contracts expire in June including Jason McAteer and Phil Babb. Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy, still reeling from Monday's play-off defeat to Crystal Palace, is looking to completely rebuild his squad this summer much of which he inherited when he took over as manager in March 2003. The other players who will not be offered new deals are Joachim Bjorklund, Paul Thirlwell, Michael Reddy, Mark Rossiter, Simon Ramsden and Patrick Collins.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy today completed his first summer signing when he handed former Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott the chance to make his name on Wearside.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who made his Barclaycard Premiership debut for City at Bolton on February 21, has signed a three-year deal and will add to the competition for places in attack at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland midfielder John Oster has signed a new two-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

The 25-year-old Wales international told the club's website that last season was "the best of my career".

Sunderland on Thursday stepped up their bid for a return to the Barclays Premiership as they completed the signing of one target and made their move for another.

As 22-year-old Manchester United full-back Mark Lynch became manager Mick McCarthy's sixth summer signing, the Black Cats were talking to West Ham striker David Connolly in a bid to fight off rivals Leicester for his signature.

The Wearsiders tabled a bid for 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international Connolly on Monday as he underwent a medical in the Midlands after rekindling an interest stretching back to last summer.

Sunderland are hopeful of persuading Argentinian Julio Arca that his future lies on Wearside.

The 23-year-old has been linked with Manchester City as he enters the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light.

But the Black Cats have denied that there has been an approach and confirmed they are in early talks over a new deal.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy has dismissed speculation that he is chasing Crewe striker Dean Ashton.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has been linked with a move to the Black Cats, whose attempts to sign David Connolly and Nathan Blake this summer have failed.

Sunderland have signed defender Neil Collins from Dumbarton for 25,000.

The 20-year-old had rejected a new contract with the Scottish Second Division club and has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are the latest club to show an interest in Liverpool starlet Anthony Le Tallec.

The gifted Frenchman could be leaving St Etienne after the arrival of Lamine Sakho, with Norwich City and Crystal Palace already rumoured to be keen on the 20-year-old.

After only three starts in Ligue 1 this term for Les Verts, the Anfield loanee may return to England to improve his chances of regular first team football.

French sources claim Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy would love to pull off an audacious swoop for the highly-rated attacking midfielder as he bids to take The Black Cats back up to The Premiership.

Skysports

Well they did it, they won the league and deserved it aswell.

Not a good start to there campaign in the Premier league. They have 1 point so far and its hard to see where they are going to get their first win from. Its looking like even this early into the season that they will definatly go down. They are looking like the worse team in the league right now..

Yip, i agree about them being the worst team.

You look at there team, and hey, i think there better players is the guy Le-tallec and Hoyte and they are loan deals. Kenny miller of course too! lol.

I dont see them making any super signings, and i dont they have any top players to come back from injury, they need a boost, but wheres it going to come from?