DARYL MURPHY has confirmed that the lure of playing for Sunderland and being told he can star in the Premiership has convinced him to move to Wearside.

The Waterford United striker had initially rejected a move - after a £100,000 fee had been accepted - to the Black Cats after being unable to agree personal terms.

But Murphy, who had been expected to sign for QPR or Reading, has since had a change of thought and looks set to make the switch from the Eircom League to the English top-flight.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was worried that he would become an unused member of Mick McCarthy's squad as he plans to avoid relegation in Sunderland's first season back among the elite.

But now, after claiming he has been reassured by the former Ireland boss, Murphy is ready to move to the Stadium of Light on July 1.

"He said he'll give me a chance. He says he rates me and that I can do a job there. I just have to prove myself," said Murphy.

"But for someone like Mick McCarthy to say that I'm good enough for the Premiership has given me a huge boost."

When Murphy does sign he is likely to face stiff competition for a place in the Sunderland starting line-up with more new arrivals expected.

McCarthy has failed with an attempt to land Czech forward Jan Koller, while he is preparing to offer £3m for Ipswich Town's Darren Bent.

That is on top of already having Chris Brown, the injured Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliott at the club. And Elliott is not about to roll over and lose his place.

The 21-year-old scored 16 goals in the promotion from the Championship and is eager to make up for lost time in the top-flight having been sold by Manchester City last summer for an initial £125,000.

And Elliott, on international duty for the Republic next month, said: "I must admit my first season at Sunderland was much better than I expected and I'm ambitious to carry it on to the Premiership.

"I only had a couple of sub appearances at Manchester City before I moved to Sunderland. Hopefully I will get more of a chance next season.

"I am looking to score goals in the Premiership.

"It is great that we are there and we are all hungry to do well. We can't wait to get going."

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