A grand old duke of Yorke...
By James Hunter and Ian Rosser (The Sunday Sun)Veteran Dwight Yorke admits he is as excited as a 19-year-old debutant at the prospect of playing in the Premiership next season.
Yorke has made almost 350 top-flight appearances and scored more than 120 goals for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn and Birmingham.
But the Sunderland midfielder, who will turn 36 in November, is desperate for another crack at the Premiership after a two-year absence.
The former Trinidad & Tobago international said: "It's everybody's dream, whether you are 36 or 19 it doesn't make any difference - there's only one league to be playing in and that's the Premiership.
"I'm as excited as everybody else, I can assure you.
"Obviously, I have a lot of experience behind me in terms of playing in the Premiership and I know what to expect.
"I feel like I am in good nick and that I still have something left in the tank and I'm looking forward to seeing how I get on in the Premiership again.
"At the moment I am confident that I can still play at that level and do the necessary.
"It gives me a lot of encouragement that I played against the very best players that England has to offer in the World Cup last summer with Trinidad & Tobago, and I stood up against those guys even at my age so I am looking forward to it."
Yorke left the Premiership in 2005 when he moved on from Birmingham to join Australian A-League outfit Sydney FC.
But when Roy Keane took over on Wearside, one of his first moves was to bring his former Old Trafford team-mate Yorke back from Down Under.
Yorke signed a two-year contract with Sunderland and, after helping the Black Cats win automatic promotion, he is looking forward to playing a part in helping the club adjust to the Premiership.
He said: "I'm looking forward to the second year of my contract. I see no reason why I wouldn't want to see it out.
"It's a different ball game up there in the Premiership, but hopefully I will be around to try and help the young players make the step up.
"These are exciting times for the club and it's great to be part of that.
"So, unless I am told otherwise, I would love to play in the Premiership with Sunderland next season."