Country first for Yorke (From The Northern Echo)

Country first for Yorke

8:56am Tuesday 17th February 2009 in Sport By Andy Richardson

DWIGHT YORKE is refusing to put Sunderland’s Premier League survival ahead of his country’s World Cup qualification bid by insisting that he’ll take a full part in Trinidad and Tobago’s fixtures next month.

The veteran midfielder is suspended for the Soca Warrior’s fixture against Honduras on March 28, but he has confirmed he still intends to make the 11-hour flight and join his international teammates.

He has also declared himself available for T&T’s match against the United States on April 1.

“I’ve already made my mind up and I’ve passed the message on that I will be with the team going into the next match,” Yorke said.

“It’s important that as captain that I’m around and can train with the boys and get myself ready for the matches after that as well.”

Yorke’s playing role at Sunderland has diminished this season but he’s become an increasingly influential figure off the pitch since Ricky Sbragia replaced Roy Keane as manager.

The former Black Cats boss became frustrated by Yorke’s insistence to link up with the T&T squad and this latest announcement will rob Sbragia of the 37-year-old as Sunderland prepare for their vital clash with West Ham.

Meanwhile, the Wearsiders’ manager has admitted that striker Djibril Cisse’s future may lie away from the Stadium of Light.

“I would like him to stay beyond his loan which expires at the end of May,” Sbragia said. “But Djibril might not want to stay.”

The 27-year-old, currently on loan from Marseille until the end of the season, has scored nine Premier League goals this season to help propel the Black Cats into midtable security.

Cisse is set to be the first Sunderland goalscorer to reach double figures in the top flight since Kevin Phillips netted 11 times in the 2001/2 campaign.

But the Arles-born forward, who was persuaded by Keane to join Sunderland in August, was reportedly disappointed when close friend El-Hadji Diouf was allowed to join Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window.

Sam Allardyce is keen to pair Cisse with his former team-mate as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz who is expected to be leaving Ewood Park this summer.

The Rovers boss had the former Liverpool marksman, who still owns a house in the North West, watched in Sunderland’s recent 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

The Black Cats have first option on an £8.5m summer move for Cisse but his goalscoring exploits have prompted other clubs to monitor his situation.

And two Sunderland players are earning themselves rave reviews while on loan.

Coventry City are to open talks with Sbragia and extend teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson’s spell at the Ricoh Arena. The 18-year-old has impressed Chris Coleman who is keen to retain the winger’s services.

“Jordan is only a kid and has done tremendously well,”

said the Sky Blues boss. “He came here initially for a month but obviously we are going to try to extend that.”

Henderson made his Sunderland debut in their 5-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge and he could be facing Chelsea again if Coventry can negotiate next Tuesday’s FA Cup replay against Blackburn.

And after Greg Halford scored in Sheffield United’s 1- 1 draw with Hull on Saturday, Kevin Blackwell is considering making a bid for the Sunderland right-back.

“Perhaps if he’s available for a couple of bob,” said Blackwell. “I’d need to see a few more performances like that. There’s nothing the lad can’t do and that includes playing in goal.”