MOROCCO defender Talal el Karkouri has spoken of his anger at Sunderland's dramatic decline - before he has even kicked a ball for the Black Cats.

El Karkouri, signed on loan from Paris St. Germain until the end of the season, is in the squad for the first time for today's trip to Tottenham.

Having seen the rock-bottom Wearsiders finish seventh in the Premiership two seasons running before just avoiding the drop last term, 26-year-old el Karkouri admits his alarm and dismay.

"When you saw Sunderland two years ago and the position they were in, it makes you angry with where they are now,'' he said.

"It is a new experience for me to be in this situation, and I hope we can stay up.

"It has always been my ambition to play in England. Every player wants to play in different countries, like England, Italy and Spain.

"I'm ready to play. Would I stay here?

"Why not? If I play well, we will see.''

Sunderland striker Tore Andre Flo has visited former Norwegian team doctor Trygve Kase in a bid to overcome a troublesome ankle injury.

Flo missed the fourth-round FA Cup replay victory against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday and flew out to visit Kase, who operated on his ankle when he played for Chelsea in 1999.

''Yes, the injury lingers on. I have been having some trouble lately,'' he told Norwegian newspaper VG.

But Kase is optimistic that the problem can be solved, saying: ''At that time there were some fracture injuries in the ankle joint. He was back in training two months later.''

For the moment, the 30-year-old has not ruled himself out of Norway's friendly against Greece next Thursday, although he is keeping in touch with current team doctor Thor Einar Andersen about the situation.

''I don't know if it is the same problem this time as it was in 1999, but my ankle needs rest. That is a bit difficult now,'' added Flo, who is currently fighting a relegation battle with the Black Cats.

The giant striker revealed that he has been battling through the pain for a few weeks, but admitted that things got worse after last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Charlton.

''It is sore. Actually, the pain varies quite a lot.

"I trained today, not a full training session, but did not feel anything,'' he concluded

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