ACCORDING to Jason McAteer, his value to Sunderland cannot solely be based on his performances in a red and white shirt.

Instead, McAteer claims his dressing room influence will make him a crucial figure during the Black Cats' forthcoming Nationwide League campaign.

Rightly or wrongly, McAteer will always be associated with the Liverpool "Spice Boys" who flattered to deceive in the mid-1990s.

But the 32-year-old has grown up now. He is still the joker in Sunderland's pack, but the midfielder is ready to take more responsibility.

And after a wretched 2002-03 campaign, McAteer - a £1m signing from Blackburn Rovers almost two years ago - is on a mission to prove his worth this season.

McAteer, who will play at Grimsby Town today, said: "Some footballers give more than what they do on the pitch; people don't see what happens behind the scenes.

"I've been around, I've played international football and I've captained my country. So I've got something to offer as an older, senior professional.

"It's nice to help and it's nice to be respected by the manager. When that's the case, you feel you can say and do things that help the kids and the club."

McAteer's career has seen him play Premiership football for four clubs and cost more than £10m in transfer fees.

Now, after spending most of his time as a professional in the top flight, he is back in the Nationwide League.

"I said to my mates I'd never play in Division One again," he joked yesterday.

Such a prospect would fill many seasoned pros with dread, but McAteer insists he is relishing the chance to make his mark on Wearside.

After missing four months of last season with a hernia problem that required two operations, a hamstring injury precluded him from playing under Mick McCarthy.

Now, however, McAteer is fighting fit and eager to add to his meagre medal haul.

He said: "I'm running out of years now and I want to make up for lost time, especially as last season felt like a season lost for me with the injuries.

"I know I'm capable of doing it and the management team think that as well because they've asked me to stay.

"We've got to be upbeat. It's all about challenges, and we can't change the fact that the challenge isn't the Premier League. Our challenge is to get promoted.

"It's no good dwelling on the fact we're not playing the big clubs; we're going to be against the Wigans of this world.

"The First Division is a difficult place to play football. It's not glamorous, it can be untidy, it's long hours and lots of games.

"But I'm with a manager I want to play for, I'm at a club I want to be at, and I'm settled up here.

"I'm 32 now and I know I'm never going to win a Premier League title. But a cup or the First Division title is an ambition of mine now.

"If I can help Sunderland win the First Division title, it would be another thing to put on my CV."

Sunderland will again be without Kevin Phillips, Thomas Sorensen and Gavin McCann - all of whom missed Wednesday's win at York City - this afternoon.

Matt Piper returns to the squad, while right-back Simon Ramsden could make his first appearance under McCarthy after a year-long loan spell with Notts County.

Striker Chris Brown, who missed the whole of last season with cruciate ligament damage, is available - but Sean Thornton is out with a shoulder injury.

Squad: Poom, Ingham, Babb, Bjorklund, Clark, Collins, Dickman, Ramsden, Scott, James, McCartney, Thirlwell, McAteer, Butler, Piper, Proctor, Flo, Brown

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