A-LEAGUE champions Sydney FC have received a huge boost from confirmation that star signing Dwight Yorke will return to the club next season.
Uncertainty about the future of coach Pierre Littbarski had been echoed with Yorke, who was said to be tempted by a return to England and an offer from a rich Middle East club.
"Dwight will definitely be back in Sydney after the World Cup," Yorke's agent Simon Bayliff said. "He loves Sydney, absolutely loves it. As soon as the World Cup is over he will be back as fresh as a spring chicken for the start of the next season. He is all good to go."
Yorke's future was clouded at the end of the A-League's debut season when it was thought he may be laid off as an expensive luxury because of Sydney's financial losses after the club's first season in operation.
Also contributing to fears the former Manchester United star would quit the club before the end of his two-year deal was his desire to remain match-fit for Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup campaign.
"Dwight is not going out on loan to anyone and he joins up with the Trinidad team in a few weeks anyway," Bayliff said.
"He is training with Manchester United and has been for four weeks. Then he is going to the World Cup."
Yorke has been named captain of Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup side after coach Leo Beenhakker picked a provisional 24-man squad.
Yorke's inclusion guarantees an A-League presence at the World Cup. No Australia-based players are likely to be in Guus Hiddink's Socceroos squad.
Trinidad and Tobago, known as the Soca Warriors, start their campaign against Sweden on June 10 and then meet England and Paraguay.