Flo out to prove he's no misfit

With Kevin Phillips gone to Southampton and Claudio Reyna poised to join Fulham, Flo is one of the few remaining big names at the Stadium of Light.

The Norway international's signing was the most expensive mistake in Sunderland's history, but despite not scoring for the club this year Flo is determined to fire them back into the Premiership.

He hurt his hamstring at Mansfield Town on Wednesday and is doubtful for tomorrow's opening home game of the season against Millwall.

But when Flo is fit enough to play, he fully expects to be part of Sunderland's Nationwide League strikeforce once the transfer window has closed on August 31.

His agent, Gunnar Martin Kjenner, said: "The chance of Flo being sold before the deadline is less than one per cent."

Mick McCarthy has already indicated Flo will not figure in his first-team plans until he is certain the player will be at the club beyond the end of this month.

But having rejected the chance to join Galatasaray, and with interest from other clubs including Atletico Madrid and Real Betis having cooled, Flo's immediate future looks to be with Sunderland.

He said: "I can't see anything happening over the next two weeks - I can't see myself going anywhere - so I need to hang in there over the next two weeks.

"When the transfer deadline has gone, I'll be back on an even footing with the rest of the squad and my chances of playing will be as good as anybody's.

"I'll try to get back in the first team, get a consistent run of games and score a few goals.

"I still have a lot to offer and definitely a lot to prove."

Meanwhile, McCarthy yesterday made his third signing as Sunderland manager when the protracted Colin Healy transfer saga came to a conclusion. Healy, 23, has been given a two-year deal, even though Sunderland are still to resolve the cash wrangle with Celtic and may yet have to pay compensation for the midfielder.

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