Skysports.
Yorke backs Black Cats
By Amanda Cornforth - Created on 3 Jul 2007
PREMIERSHIP SEASON 2007-08
Sunderland are 16/1 to finish in the top six.
Sunderland striker Dwight Yorke is tipping the promoted side to do more than just stay up in the Premier League this season.
Yorke played his part in helping Roy Keane's men gain automatic promotion to the top flight as champions last term with 32 league appearances after moving to Wearside from Sydney FC in August.
Although many critics have already written the Black Cats off to make a swift return to the Championship given their previous history of fluctuating up and down the leagues, Yorke insists the team have their sights set higher than just avoiding the drop.
"I'm sure Sunderland will survive there's no two ways about that. We're not just going to come there and expect just to survive, I'm expecting Sunderland to do extremely well this year, only time will tell." he told Sky Sports News.
Yorke, who played alongside Keane during his four years at Manchester United, also says the players' determination to succeed at a higher level will be motivated by their high regard for the rookie manager, who only took over at the Stadium of Light in August last year.
"He's [Keane] got a quality about him and people respect what he's done in the game and once you do that as a player, there is so much admiration for him as a player," he continued.
"Players do want to play for him and that's the key factor in his management so far. I'm sure this time around being in the Premiership will be a test of time for him but I have no doubt that he will come through with flying colours again."
At 35, Yorke will be one of the more senior players to ply his trade in the top flight next season but the Trinidad and Tobago international believes that it comes down to being fit regardless of your age.
"In terms of myself as I said before really there's players in the Premiership that are older than I am and they're still playing so it's not about age it's all about your general fitness," concluded Yorke.
