Whitehead eager for influx of rivals

May 7 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

AS he braces himself for another hectic transfer window, Dean Whitehead is hoping to see a new right-back increase the competition for his Sunderland place.

The Black Cats captain appreciates that whether he likes it or not there will be new faces at the Stadium of Light threatening his status as a first-team regular. But Whitehead welcomes the challenge and hopes a right-back is near the top of Roy Keane’s shopping list to shore up a squad which has been exposed in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old is a midfielder by preference and, while he is happy to fill in at full-back, he believes the disruption caused by Phil Bardsley’s recent knee injury shows the need for a more established understudy.

"The last few weeks have told us a few things about the depth of the squad," he said. "We’ve had one or two injuries, and all of a sudden people have had to switch around and play in different positions. We lost Phil, which meant Nyron (Nosworthy) had to play at right- back at Bolton, and one or two other people had to shift positions as well. That’s football and we should have a good enough squad to deal with it – but I guess it isn’t really ideal."

Keane was livid after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers and scathing in his criticism afterwards. The Irishman has promised a summer clear-out of those he feels are not up to the job of representing Sunderland and a raft of replacements. Whitehead believes his manager’s cutting words and the anticipated influx will help not hinder him.

"Working with Roy Keane has certainly improved my game because he’s a harsh critic and that’s what drives players on," he said. "You want to improve with every game you play. The best thing about being at a big club is you know every transfer window there will be new players along to challenge for your place. You always know you have to be on your game in training and in matches so you don’t lose your shirt."

The Black Cats have looked far more solid defensively since they signed centre-back Jonny Evans on loan and Bardsley permanently in January, but their absence through injury in last month’s game against Newcastle was horribly exposed. Even with Evans back for their next away game, at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, they were little better.

Sunderland have three right-backs on their books at present but two – Greg Halford and Stephen Wright – can expect to leave this summer. The pair’s inadequacies have forced Whitehead, Nosworthy and Paul McShane to play out of position there at times this term (though Nosworthy was a right-back when he came to Wearside three years ago and McShane spent most of his West Bromwich Albion career there), particularly before Bardsley was signed from Manchester United in January.

Wright, the last Peter Reid signing still in the Sunderland squad, will not have his contract renewed in the summer, while Halford has failed to live up to expectations since joining from Reading last summer.

He returned to the Academy of Light after a six-month loan at Charlton Athletic yesterday but his stay will be short-lived, with the 23-year-old certain to be part of Roy Keane’s threatened end- of-season clear-out.

Liam Miller is another whose future is in doubt but Whitehead has nothing but praise for the way his midfield colleague has responded to being transfer-listed for poor time-keeping in February. The Republic of Ireland international was surprisingly brought back into the side for last month’s Tyne-Wear derby and has remained in the starting line-up ever since.

"Liam always trains well," said Whitehead. "Everyone knows what Liam is about and he deserves to be back. He brings a lot of energy to the team. He can pick a pass and stuff."