Yorke ponders his futureThe Northern Echo
DWIGHT Yorke is mulling over his Sunderland future after
a trio of Championship clubs trumped the Black Cats' offer of a new one-year playing deal.
Yorke, whose contract is due to expire next month, met boss Roy Keane over a week ago to discuss his future on Wearside.
While the Trinidad & Tobago international is close to completing his UEFA A Licence after starting his coaching qualifications last season, he is keen to extend his playing career for as long as possible.
Keane still envisages an onfield role for the 36-year-old, who made 20 Premier League appearances last term. However, he is reluctant to offer his former Manchester United team-mate anything more than a one-year playing deal, preferring to reassess his options again in 12 months time.
That has alerted a number of Championship clubs, and Wolves, Reading and Derby are all ready to offer Yorke a twoyear deal.Wolves boss Mick McCarthy sees the midfielder as the ideal replacement for £3m-rated Seyi Olofinjana, while Royals manager Steve Coppell and Rams boss Paul Jewell both covet the veteran's experience as they attempt to steer their respective sides back into the top-flight.
Yorke will not make a decision on his future until after this weekend's international friendly between Trinidad & Tobago and England, a game that is likely to see him make a late substitute appearance that will finally bring down the curtain on an illustrious international career.
However, with an approach from his former employers Sydney FC also in the offing, Yorke is known to be keen to resolve his domestic future before the end of next month.
He would prefer to remain with Sunderland but, with Keane refusing to offer him any guarantees about his likely level of involvement next season, the security of a two-year deal in the Championship could yet persuade him to sever his ties with the Black Cats.
Meanwhile, Yorke's international team-mate, Kenwyne Jones, is expected to train this evening as he attempts to prove his fitness for Saturday's glamour friendly with England.
The Sunderland striker fractured his arm in this month's 1- 0 defeat to Arsenal, and missed Trinidad & Tobago's two weekend training sessions as they prepare for one of the biggest games in their nation's history.
He will resume training this evening, though, and could even line up against England without the support of a protective cast, such is his desire to be involved at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
"Some arrangement will be made for Kenwyne to play against England wearing a light cast if that's necessary," said T&T spokesman Shaun Fuentes.
"But I think he has indicated it may be possible that, depending on how well the injury heals, he could probably go without the cast."
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