Yorke: Roy ready for big time
Sunderland striker Dwight Yorke has backed Roy Keane to make a splash in the Barclays Premier League as he prepares for his second season in management.
The 34-year-old, who played with the Irishman at Manchester United, was hugely impressed as he guided the Black Cats to the Coca-Cola Championship title last season.
Now he is confident Keane will make just as big an impact in the top flight as he rebuilds his squad for a fresh challenge.
Yorke told Sky Sports News: “He has got an aura about him and people respect him for what he has done in the game.
“Once you do that as a player – and there is so much admiration for him as a player – players do want to play for him. That has been the key factor in his management so far.
“I am sure this time around being in the Premiership will be a testing time for him, but I have no doubt he will come through with flying colours again.”
Keane is currently working to secure the players he believes will help his side to more than hold their own in the Premier League.
However, he is refusing to be held to ransom and yesterday ended his pursuit of Preston striker David Nugent after waiting in vain for an answer from the player.
Sunderland were hopeful of persuading the highly-rated 22-year-old his future lay at the Stadium of Light, but having received no answer, decided the player’s heart was not in the move.
It is understood Keane then inquired about the availability of Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe, although received little encouragement.
He will now turn his attention to his remaining targets – Manchester United’s Alan Smith and Heerenveen’s Afonso Alves have been linked with the Wearsiders - with time running out before his squad returns for pre-season training next week.
Sunderland have so far managed to sign only defenders Greg Halford and Russell Anderson, but with chairman Niall Quinn backing Keane in the transfer market, Yorke is confident they will be able to cope in the top flight.
He said: “I am sure Sunderland will survive, there are no two ways about that. We are not going to go there and expect just to survive. I am expecting Sunderland to do extremely well this year. Only time will tell.”
Yorke enjoyed an excellent first season at the Stadium of Light and is looking forward to his return to the Premier League, where he does not feel his age will be an issue.
He said: “In terms of myself, there are players in the Premiership who are probably older than I am and still playing. It’s not about age, it’s all about your general fitness.”
