NEW Sunderland striker Brian Deane has admitted the chance to land some silverware before he hangs up his boots was the main reason behind his deadline day move to the Stadium of Light.

The 37-year-old striker made a surprise switch from Leeds to the Black Cats on a short-term deal on Thursday.

With Deane contemplating retirement in the summer, a last tilt at the Championship title with the Wearsiders was too good a chance to spurn.

Deane said: "This is an exciting time for me. I've won promotion three times before so I know what it's all about.

"I just missed out on making it four with West Ham last season and I don't want that to happen again. It would be nice to leave Sunderland with a medal.

"I've been impressed with what Mick McCarthy is trying to achieve here and I can't wait to get started.

"I could have stayed at Leeds and tried to help them into the play-offs and I had one or two other offers but none of them appealed to me.

"This move excited me and signing was an easy decision to make. Hopefully I can help Sunderland push into the Premiership."

His first game will be at Loftus Road when the Black Cats take on QPR a week today, but the former Middlesbrough man believes the destination of the title, and more importantly promotion to the Premiership will be decided at the Stadium of Light.

Mick McCarthy's side face Reading, Leicester and Stoke at home with tough trips to Wigan, Ipswich and Reading after next week's trip to the capital.

"I played here for Leeds on Boxing Day when there were more than 40,000 in," said Deane. "I know it can be intimidating and the fans will be a huge help from now on in.

"It's always a nervy time and if my experience can help the team, then great."

Deane scored when Leeds beat Sunderland 3-2 at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day.

"It was nothing personal," insisted the Leeds-born striker. "I'd like to get a few for Sunderland in the next seven games."

* Sheffield United have admitted Neil Warnock could be a target for clubs looking to fill managerial vacancies.

Warnock has been linked with the job at Portsmouth and the Blades know they could have a fight on their hands to keep their man after almost five and a half years at the helm at Bramall Lane.

United's vice-chairman Terry Robinson, who doubles as the South Yorkshire side's football executive, said: ''If people decide that they don't want 'designer managers' anymore, then Neil's name, especially given his record in the game, is bound to crop up.''

* France's Robert Pires believes the £35,000 fine he has to pay for wearing a rival sponsor's clothing is an excessive punishment.

The Arsenal player was ordered to pay the fine in December after going on French television programme Telefoot on October 10 dressed in Puma clothing - a move which greatly angered the French Federation officials and team sponsors adidas.

Adidas claimed the move cost them £35,000 but Pires said: ''I will pay the 50,000 euros (£35,000) but I will tell them (the French federation) what I truly think."

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