KEVIN KYLE wants to help Sunderland maintain their promotion push in a bid to force his way into Scotland's plans on a regular basis.

The towering former Irish ferries baggage handler was recalled by national team boss Berti Vogts yesterday after almost nine months in the international wilderness.

Kyle has been included in the Scotland squad to face Wales in Cardiff next Wednesday when he is likely to come up against Sunderland teammate John Oster.

Former Hartlepool United midfielder Tommy Miller, now with Ipswich Town, is also included and is in line for his international debut at the Millennium Stadium.

It is the first time Kyle has been called-up by Vogts since the 1-1 draw with New Zealand last May.

The Scotland boss overlooked the uncompromising striker for the summer European Championship play-offs with Holland - the second of which ended with an embarrassing 6-0 defeat.

Following that heavy loss, Vogts decided to look to the future and he is ready to test the younger generation as he tries to find a squad capable of qualifying for the World Cup.

Now Kyle is about to earn his ninth international cap against the Welsh.

The 22-year-old said: "Scotland not qualifying for the European Championships was hugely disappointing but we must look forward now. Maybe the manager will have a look at a few of the younger players and give them a chance, like me.

"I love pulling on the Scotland jersey and hopefully I'll be involved against Wales. It's time to rebuild and concentrate on qualifying for the next World Cup."

Meanwhile, Sunderland's latest signing Darren Byfield has told manager Mick McCarthy that he wants to stay on Wearside for years to come.

The 27-year-old striker, who scored a late equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Watford, has only arrived on terms until the end of the season.

But Byfield has already seen enough of the club to convince him that it is where he wants to play his football on a permanent basis.

"I've signed until the end of the season, but really I want to be here beyond that and play in the Premiership with Sunderland," said the former Aston Villa man.

"Every player wants to play in the Premiership and I know that scoring goals and playing in the top-flight go hand in hand.

"I haven't spoken to the gaffer yet - there's no need to - I just want to concentrate on doing as well as I can and if it is meant to be then it is meant to be."

Byfield, part of a player-exchange deal that saw Michael Proctor go to Rotherham last week, will not be able to play in tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round clash with Birmingham.

The pacy forward is cup-tied having played for the Millers in the competition against Northampton earlier in the season.

* Sunderland will pay tribute to former manager Bob Stokoe at tomorrow's FA Cup tie with Birmingham.

As well as a minute's silence and black armbands, a short film tribute will be played on the concourse televisions showing the famous 1973 FA Cup final.

The FA Cup trophy will also be at the Stadium of Light reception throughout the afternoon and the club are asking fans to hold their scarves aloft in memory of Stokoe, who passed away nearly two weeks ago.

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