Jeepers Keepers!

Mick McCarthy is facing a goalkeeper crisis ahead of Sunderland's all-important clash with Ipswich.

Thomas Myhre is still struggling with injury and McCarthy went into training today without a single keeper.

If Myhre fails to recover from a side-strain ahead of the Portman Road clash, McCarthy could approach the Football League in a bid to sign a keeper on an emergency basis.

Myhre suffered an injury against Reading last weekend and the odds are stacked against him being fit for Sunday.

Mart Poom is out for the season after undergoing a second knee operation two weeks ago, and as things stand Sunderland are without a professional keeper.

Michael Ingham, who replaced Myhre at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, cricked his neck on the team bus as the reserves made their way to play Bolton on Monday.

The coach was forced to stop sharply on the way to Lancashire and Ingham, who was asleep at the time, suffered the muscle injury.

He managed 45 minutes in the second-team game before the muscle tensed up and has not trained since. He remains a doubt.

And Ben Alnwick, who has spent most of the season as Myhre's back-up because o a long-term injury to Poom, was on compassionate leave today after a bereavement.

McCarthy said: "I'm still hopeful Thomas Myhre will be available but it is an issue. It's a wait and see thing.

"We've got no keepers in training today and we'll wait as long as possible. Trever Carson, our youth team keeper, will play in the reserves tonight.

"If you're absolutely desperate, with no keepers, you can ask to bring someone in. If it was today, I'd be asking the question."

The Football League have said that they would entertain Sunderland's case only if they had no professional keepers available.

A spokesperson said: "The club would have to apply to us for permission and give medical evidence of the need for an additional player.

"They would have to show that all of their professional goalkeepers were injured and we would consider their application."



Huyton, time to get the gloves, boots and green jersey out of the loft (if you haven't already flogged them on ebay) and give Mick a call to offer your services - your club needs you!!