Tim Carter, ex-goalkeeper for The Black Cats, was found dead last week after being discovered in bushes by a passer-by in Manchester.

He played 50 games for the Premiership club between 1987 and 1992 and was the first-team goalkeeping coach before the arrival of ex-Manchester Utd star Raimond Van Der Gouw last summer.

And today the Estonian goalkeeping legend paid rich tribute to his former trainer.

The former Sunderland keeper says he rated the 40-year-old coach so highly he got him involved with the Estonian set-up and he remained an influence on his career.

Poom said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard Tim had died.

"I left Sunderland a couple of years ago but he is someone I remained in touch with and we talked every week or every other week.

"I was on the phone to him just a couple of weeks ago, talking football, and I couldn't believe the news when I heard it.

"I was on holiday in Spain and I got a call from Alec Chamberlain and then I got a call from Mark Prudhoe, both telling me something had happened.

"It is still hard to take in."

Poom was at Sunderland from 2003-2006 and became a firm favourite with Sunderland fans for his athleticism and bravery between the posts.

He remains Estonia's most capped player with well over 100 appearances and the 36-year-old is now at Watford after being allowed to leave Sunderland for Arsenal.

He said: "I really enjoyed my time at Sunderland and Tim was very much a part of that. We had four international goalkeepers when I was at the club but Tim had the respect of all of us.

"He had some very good training ideas but he was also receptive to the ideas of the goalkeepers as well and that is the sign of a good coach.

"He was a big influence on me and I was so impressed with his techniques and his approached that I recommended him to the Estonian Football Association.

"I know that the Estonian manager appreciated his contribution to the coaching set-up and it is just tragic that something like this has happened to someone who had such a lot to give.

"All I can say is that my thoughts and best wishes are with his family because I know how much he'll be missed."