Rory Delap has no regrets about his move to Wearside. On the contrary, he insists his decision to join relegation certainties Sunderland during the January transfer window was the right one.

The utility man acknowledged he was under no illusion about the enormity of his side's situation, but believes the Wearsiders are in a far healthier position to make an immediate return to the top flight than his former side Southampton, should the inevitable happen.

"People might think I'm a glutton for punishment, but while I knew there was a chance Sunderland would be relegated when I joined, I looked beyond their league position," revealed Delap, who dropped out of the top flight last term with Saints.

"It's a bigger club than Southampton and it's a better club in terms of the players in the squad. If it did come to relegation I knew we'd be better prepared for next season in the Championship than Southampton were."

The 29-year-old was born in Sutton Coldfield but raised in Cumbria and took his first tentative steps as a footballer at Carlisle United. Another factor in his decision to swap life at St Mary's for the Stadium of Light was an overwhelming desire to return to his home roots.

"I'm really pleased I made the move despite what has happened," admitted the Republic of Ireland international. "It was a chance for me to move the family back up north and that was important. People sometimes forget that footballers have a personal life to consider as well.

"I've got two little ones, Liam, who is three, and Finn, who is one, and it's a big bonus to have them to be near their grandparents.

"I'd made my mind up in the summer when I was up here that I wanted to come back north and to come to a club like Sunderland was a fantastic move.

"I think a lot of footballers do move because of their families, but the good thing for me is that I've got an ideal move professionally and personally."

Delap was Mick McCarthy's last signing, but was suffering an Achilles problem and missed nearly four weeks of action. Delap regrets arriving at the club without a clean bill of health to help his former boss stay in a job.

"I was signed by Mick McCarthy and now he has gone, but you just have to get on with it if the manager who signed you leaves,'' he said. "There's no point harping on about it because we have to look to the future.

"It was frustrating to be injured when I came and I didn't really get the chance to help Mick. But it was known that I was injured when I arrived. Everyone knew I wouldn't be available for a couple of weeks, but I'm sorry I couldn't have been back earlier."

Despite a cloud of despondency hanging over Sunderland after a disastrous return to the Premiership, Delap believes the club still has plenty to play for

"Obviously next season is in the back of my mind, it's impossible not to think about it, but at the moment it's more important that we think in the short term," said the free transfer.

"I know everyone always says it, but whether you are at the top or bottom, you can only take things game by game. We've just got to concentrate on the remainder of the season because we're playing for our personal pride.'