Yorke eyes a return against former club

It is more than four months since he played in the topflight and he has been used more in a coaching role than as a first team player in recent months.

But after a run of six matches without a win, Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia is seriously considering bringing the 37-year-old back into the equation to face his former club Manchester United this Saturday.

Having performed admirably in Sbragia’s first match in charge – a narrow December defeat at United – Yorke has struggled to force his way back in, with Kieran Richardson, Dean Whitehead, Grant Leadbitter and Teemu Tainio ahead of him.

Now, though, Yorke is of the belief that his knowledge of the game will help him to make his long-awaited return to the team against United.

“We have players that have played in the Premier League but only for a year or two,”

said Yorke. “We don’t really have any established Premier League players and they are finding it a bit difficult.

“That’s part of the reason I’m here, to bring that calming influence to the team.

Hopefully given the chance I can influence the team from out on the pitch.

“What I do know is that I have put myself back in the frame. When Ricky first took over the team was on such a high and everything seemed cosy and there was no need for me to push myself forward.

“I was quite happy to let that happen as much as I still wanted to play. But now we are in a bit of a dilemma.

There’s a need for some experience to be brought into the team. It won’t take me long to get into the swing of teams because I am training every day.”

Since arriving from Trinidad & Tobago, where he played for Signal Hill, 21 years ago he has had an illustrious career with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn, Birmingham and Sunderland, while he also spent one season with Sydney in Australia.

But while he has won league titles, Yorke has never had to endure the trauma of relegation. He does not want to start now.

“It’s up to us as a staff to explain the importance to the players because I have never had a relegation in my life,”

said Yorke. “I’m coming to the end of my career and I don’t want that on my CV.

“I made it known that you don’t want to be going off in the summer knowing you are coming back to the Championship.

I would like to think that has sunk in.”

There is a reluctance within the dressing room to talk about Sunderland’s plight until they are safe, something Yorke can understand.

But the midfielder, who made his name as a striker, is eager to see the vibrancy return to the training ground in an attempt to pull Sunderland clear of trouble with just three points separating them from third bottom Newcastle.

“When you find players are doing well they always want to talk. I remember when I was a young man I was exactly the same,” he said. “I wanted to do media when I did well and it happens in every way of life.

“It’s like if you’re buzzing and you are going out every night pulling women you want to tell everyone about it.

Now the mood has changed it’s a serious feel around the club and the smile seems to have gone off a few faces. You can see there’s a bit of a low.”

Yorke is vying with Tainio for a recall to a five-man midfield after Sbragia confirmed the Finn’s troublesome knee has responded to treatment.

But George McCartney will be out for a couple of weeks after injuring his ankle on international duty last week.

Youngster Jordan Henderson has returned from a loan with Coventry with a suspected broken metatarsal.

Meet the Cats

SUNDERLAND fans are being offered the chance to meet Niall Quinn, Ricky Sbragia, Danny Collins and Carlos Edwards in official club stores over the Easter holidays.

They will visit the Stadium of Light store, Debenhams, Sunderland and Sainsbury’s, Washington.

Collins and Edwards will visit Sainsbury’s, The Galleries, Washington on April 14 and Sbragia will be on hand to meet supporters at the Stadium of Light store on April 14 from 4-5:30pm.

Chairman Niall Quinn will visit Debenhams in Sunderland on April 16 from 4-5:30pm