KIERAN Richardson has pledged his future to Sunderland – despite claims that Tottenham are interested in the Black Cats midfielder.

Although his performances dipped as the team slumped into relegation trouble, Richardson was one of the few players to emerge from Sunderland’s torrid season in credit.

His historic goal against Newcastle was the undoubted highlight of the season and Richardson started the campaign in superb form.

There were claims in the weekend newspapers that Harry Redknapp was preparing an £8m bid for Richardson, but the player wants to stay at the Stadium of Light and play a big part in the club’s brave new era.

Infamously, Newcastle attempted to steal Richardson from the Black Cats in January with an offer that was laughed off by Sunderland.

And it is not inconceivable that there will be further interest in one of the few homegrown left-footed players with top flight experience.

Richardson will not encourage a move, though, and says he is settled on Wearside. “Of course I’m committed to the club. I’m a Sunderland player until they tell me I’m not,” he said.

“I’m expecting a very busy summer in the transfer market. With the takeover from Ellis Short, hopefully he can bring in top-drawer players and that’s better for us.

“The better players he brings in, it’s going to make us better as players. I’m sure the fans will be looking forward to that as well.”

Investment and talk of signings will dominate the summer once the new manager is confirmed.

If, as expected, it is Steve Bruce who is appointed, Sunderland fans can expect heavy investment in English and English-based players.

Peter Crouch was one named linked with Sunderland yesterday, although Portsmouth’s newly-found spending power would make the £11m deal touted in the newspapers yesterday an unlikely one.

More realistic rumours will emerge and Richardson is looking forward to the summer recruitment drive. But he feels the experience of both the Black Cats and Newcastle last year should serve as a warning to anyone tempted to get carried away.

Sunderland spent heavily but on the wrong players while Newcastle’s recruitment policy has leaned heavily on blue chip names with plenty of experience but seemingly little hunger.

“We’ve got a strong squad and with the players we’ve got we shouldn’t have been in the position we were,” Richardson said.

“We talked a lot about how we shouldn’t be down there with the money we’d spent and the players we’d got. Sometimes football does that. Look at Newcastle – they’ve got players who’ve played in World Cups and they were relegated.

“You never know what happens. The Premier League’s been so strong this season and that’s why it’s the best league in the world. Teams can pick up points off everyone.”

The resignation of Ricky Sbragia and the subsequent announcement of the Ellis Short takeover has eased some of the pressure on the players and board, who were criticised by many for the way the campaign developed. But Richardson is aware that there will have to be a marked improvement from the playing personnel next season if they are going to convince supporters that they should invest their faith in them again.

“I wouldn’t say the players have to take more responsibility, I’m sure everyone tried their best and played their part.

“We wanted to stay in the Premier League and we’ve done that. But we want to progress next season and become better players.”