UNSUNG Sunderland midfielder Jeff Whitley, thrown on football's scrapheap by Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan, last night admitted he can't believe his dramatic change of fortune.

The tenacious Whitley has figured in every game of Sunderland's astonishing FA Cup run, which has taken them to within a step of a Millennium Stadium final on May 22.

Yesterday's semi-final draw handed Mick McCarthy's side a huge incentive when they were paired with either Millwall - the only other club the Black Cats' boss has managed - or Tranmere.

Victory would not only secure Sunderland's place in the final, but also guarantee entry to next season's UEFA Cup.

With Arsenal and Manchester United contesting the other semi-final and both sides destined for the Champions League, Sunderland would be assured of European competition even if they were to lose in Cardiff.

For the likes of Whitley, it is the stuff of fantasy. "Look where I was a year ago, and now I'm in the semi-finals of the FA Cup - it's incredible,'' said Whitley, who was McCarthy's first recruit as Sunderland boss, but only initially on a three-month contract before finally winning a one-year deal.

The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international, born in Zambia, thought the big occasions had passed him by when he was shown the door by former Newcastle boss Keegan.

"It crosses your mind that Cup semi-finals might have gone,'' said Whitley. "I was here for at least three months before I got a contract and I had a hard time at Man. City before I left.

"I'd gone to other clubs before I came here, but it was the fact I was here for so long before I got a contract that made it frustrating.

"But the manager is fantastic. He obviously got a phone call to say I'd been released and I then got a call to come up here.

"I had his backing and I trusted him. My future was in his hands and it was a case of people having to leave the club before I got my chance. I was never ready to walk out.

"I just had to keep my head down and play well in the reserves. I was prepared to work my socks off for a contract and it finally paid off.

"Weeks went by at City when I wasn't training with the first team and you wonder what you are doing there.

"To get away from the club was a relief for me, to look elsewhere and kick-start my career again.

"Now, it's back to the good old days. There's a great bunch of lads here and hopefully we can push on.

"It's been tough with so many new players coming in, but we've all gelled really well. There have been people in and out with injuries, but it's been great on the training ground and it shows on the pitch. We've all done a great job.''

Sunday's 1-0 quarter-final win over Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light evoked memories of Sunderland's last Cup win in 1973.

Whitley said: "The atmosphere was incredible and to get a win for the fans and the manager was great.''

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