Mick McCarthy may not yet have come out and said he wants Shaun Goater to fire Sunderland back to the Premiership, but the Island striker certainly fits all the requirements the Black Cats' boss is looking for in a player.

The North-East club, freshly relegated from the Premiership, are set to lose some of their prize assets over the summer with star striker Kevin Phillips heading the queue of stars looking for the Stadium of Light exit.

Goater, who will depart Manchester City if a fee can be agreed with a prospective new employer, has been linked with a move to McCarthy's team.

And the 33-year-old openly said in an interview with The Royal Gazette this week that Sunderland were the kind of team he would like to go and play for - an `ambitious' outfit with a manager who commands the `utmost respect'.

For his part McCarthy has said that he needs experienced professionals in the ranks if his side are to make an immediate return to the top flight.

"I've players in mind who I want to bring in. I want players with heart and soul and those who will give us a spark. There's got to be real heart and ambition to get us back into the Premiership," he said.

"There is one special player I am desperate to sign. It might come off, it might not. We'll have to see.

"We'll be having a look at who is available, just like Harry Redknapp has done at Portsmouth. We will need experience. We won't get out of this league with a team of young lads.

"What I've got in my favour is this training ground, the Stadium of Light and our fans. So if players are thinking: `I've got two or three offers and the first is Sunderland.' They might hang around and wait for us.

"That'll give me the opportunity to clear the decks before I bring in new players. The place needs a lift, a spark. It's players who will lift the club."

There's no doubt Goater certainly possesses heart and soul and as far as experience is concerned, he has it by the bucket load.

"We need players who've been around, seen it and done," added McCarthy. "Those who can help the young players when it gets difficult.

"There's a very demanding crowd here and rightfully so and you need experience, so you don't panic it pressure situations.

"All managers know that there are players who can handle that pressure and that's what we need. We also need a hunger and desire to do well in this league."