Carson (20) has made five international appearances for Northern Ireland U21s and eight appearances for Northern Ireland U17s but has yet to make a senior appearance for the Premiership side.

Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson said: "Trevor is a highly-rated international goalkeeper who will provide competition for the No1 spot at Saltergate."

Carson originally joined Sunderland in 2004 from Killyleagh Boys.

He is considered to be a promising talent for the Black Cats, after impressing in last season's reserves team, lifting the Durham Challenge Cup as skipper of Sunderland's second string in the final at the Stadium of Light.

He has been called up by Northern Ireland U21s for an international friendly tournament next week in Ukraine involving Bulgaria, Poland and Ukraine.

Carson is out of contract next summer and Sunderland manager boss Roy Keane wants to give him a taste of first-team football before he makes up him mind on whether to offer him a new deal.

The Wearside club loaned youngsters Peter Hartley and David Dowson to the Spireites last season.

Richardson has been looking for additional goalkeeping cover and made a move for Carson after giving up on Blackburn's Frank Fielding.

Another keeper on Sunderlands's books is Martin Fulop, who made seven appearances on loan with Chesterfield in 2005 when he was with Spurs.