The 30-year-old South African is one of a number of names linked with a move to the Stadium of Light in recent weeks.

And now the player himself has admitted he is aware of Roy Keane's interest and a move to the north east would not be out of the question.

The player - a Champions' League winner with Porto - was on the bench when Blackburn opened their season with a 3-2 win at Everton last Saturday.

But his ambition sees him seeking first team opportunities.

Speaking to setantasports.com McCarthy said: "It's frustrating if you work hard, especially with all the rumours going on and then you don't play.

"Sunderland's interest is very much for real and I'm looking to see in the next week what's going to happen, because you know I'm 31 in November so sitting on the bench or not playing is not an option for me.

"If I can't make the starting line-up at Blackburn then I'm wasting time.

"Paul Ince has made his intentions clear, he doesn't want me to go, he wants me to stay and from my point of view I respect the manager.

"They're not really happy times for me, but it's still all right."