BRETT Ormerod could soon be facing up to the end of his St Mary's career.

Saints are prepared to loan out the man who helped the club reach the 2003 FA Cup Final after the former Blackpool ace dropped down the striking pecking order.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy confirmed this morning that he had made an enquiry about taking Ormerod on loan - but was still waiting to hear back from Saints. The Championship club have only two frontline strikers at present in Marcus Stewart and Stephen Elliott. Kevin Kyle is out injured until christmas and the only other forward on their books is Leeds loanee Simon Johnson, who is only 21 and untried.

Sheffield United, who have been linked with a loan move for Ormerod, are NOT interested in taking the player back up north.

The Daily Echo understands that Blades boss Neil Warnock enquired about Ormerod's availability midway through last season.

But the Bramall Lane boss today admitted: ""Brett's name has been mentioned but I have not made any enquiries about him."

But an United source this morning confirmed that Warnock COULD still be keen if new arrival Tommy Black from Crystal Palace doesn't impress in his month's loan.

Ormerod, who cost Saints £1.75m from Blackpool in December 2001, has only made one first team appearance this season. That was under Paul Sturrock in the dismal season-opening 2-0 loss at Aston Villa when James Beattie was out injured. In the four games since, Ormerod, 27, has only once been on the bench - at home to Bolton - and seems to have fallen behind teenage pair Leon Best and Dexter Blackstock in the battle for strike spots at the club.

With the promotion of Steve Wigley to head coach, and the internal restructuring of the academy and reserve coaching staff which has taken place under him, it is obvious that Saints are keener than ever to fast-track their most promising youngsters into the senior squad.

Ormerod's last game for Saints was in a 3-0 reserve team win over Spurs at St Mary's last week. There was another reserve outing at Charlton two days ago but Best and Blackstock started up front.

Saints are believed to be keen to loan Ormerod out to get match practice and chairman Rupert Lowe said: "We have had several approaches."

Should Saints sell Ormerod - who started his career as an apprentice at Blackburn before dropping into non-league football with Accrington - they would certainly have to accept a financial loss with money a lot tighter now at all levels.