Headlines are something else, so is he happy or frustrated?
Yorke happy to fight for place at Sunderland
By: The Northern Echo
29 Dec 2006
SUNDERLAND'S man for all seasons, Dwight Yorke, revealed he was relieved to get away from the intensity of the British game, but admitted: "It is good to be back."
Yorke spent just over a year plying his trade in the Australian A-League for Sydney FC following a disappointing spell at Birmingham City during the 2004/05 campaign.
The 35-year-old striker-cum-midfielder began only six league and cup games for Steve Bruce's Blues in a largely frustrating season in the Midlands, where many felt his best years were behind him.
But after a year recharging his batteries in Australia, which culminated in receiving the Joe Marston Medal for being the best player in the inaugural A-League Grand Final victory over Central Coast Mariners, he returned to rediscover his love for the British game at Sunderland.
"Don't forget I played at the top level for 16, 17 years," said Yorke, who returned to Roy Keane's starting line-up for the Black Cats' Boxing Day fixture against Leeds after missing out at Crystal Palace three days earlier. "That was a long time and I needed a change. Sydney provided me with that.
"But coming back here was no problem. The gaffer brought me back and I was very flattered about that."
While Keane is planning Sunderland's long-term future, some players have been brought in to provide a short-term solution. Graham Kavanagh, Stanislav Varga, Kenny Cunningham and Yorke are all in their 30s and all have a role to play in launching the club's ascent.
"Hopefully I can play my part in trying to get Sunderland promotion," said the former Manchester United striker. "It's been a little bit up and down but we're trying to find some consistency.
"Although we think we should have got more points, we'd have taken being at this stage right now after where we were three or four months ago. There are signs of progress. I'm sure when everyone's up and running, and when the competition for places becomes more intense that will make the whole team better."
With six players competing for only two places at the heart of the midfield, competition is fierce at the Stadium of Light.
Yorke has occasionally found himself sitting on the sidelines but the Trinidad and Tobago international has proved he can fight his way back into the Sunderland starting XI and says he relishes the challenge of doing so.
"The competition for places in midfield is good at the moment and that's the way football should be," added Yorke, who hopes he has done enough to be included for the visit of Preston this weekend. "If you're not in the team it's about fighting your way back in and when you get your chance you've got to take the opportunity.
"I don't know it any other way.
"That's the way it's always been. It's good and healthy.
"Once every player has realised that's what football is all about we'll all benefit.
"When you think you should be in the team and you see someone else come in and score it brings a good competitive edge to the team. I think that's what we need, it's what the gaffer's trying to create.
"No-one's place is safe, even me and that's good. We have to recognise that and rise to the occasion."
Tommy Miller, on loan at Preston from Sunderland, will be allowed to play tomorrow but there will be no reunion with his former team-mates Stephen Wright (ankle) and Kenny Cunningham (medial ligament). The pair will return to training next week after recovering from injury
* Tickets are available for tomorrow's Championship fixture from £8 juniors and £24 adults (£19 in concession areas), and cash turnstiles will be available.
Concessionary tickets are not available from the cash turnstiles and must be purchased from the ticket office, which is open from 10am until kick-off.
