Kenwyne can be a Cats legend, says Nosworthy

May 6 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NYRON Nosworthy has backed Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to become one of the club’s all-time greats – although the powerful frontman will have to score more goals to do so.

Jones has been a vital component of Roy Keane’s side as the Black Cats have just about managed to keep themselves out of the drop zone and the Trinidad and Tobago striker has been the pick of his manager’s signings this season.

While other members of the Black Cats squad face an anxious wait to discover whether they will remain a part of Keane’s plans in the coming days, Jones’ position at the Stadium of Light seems secure.

Indeed, Sunderland may have to fight to keep hold of the 23-year-old as a series of impressive front-line displays have alerted a number of other Premier League clubs to his potential.

“He could become one of the Sunderland greats,” said Nosworthy, who has probably also done enough to ensure he remains at the club next season. “I definitely think he has the potential to do that.

“He is still only 23 and this was his first proper season of Premier League football. He’s young and he knows he can still improve, but every defender I’ve spoken to this season has said he is a handful.

“I know, because I played against him when he was on loan at Stoke when I was at Gillingham and he’s a better player now than he was then.

“For me, he has been Sunderland’s player of the year. Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans have been fantastic since they came to the club in January, but Kenwyne has done so well in his first season.”

Sunderland are likely to be make the signing of a natural goalscorer to play alongside Jones one of their main priorities when the transfer window opens this summer.

However, although Jones has weighed in with seven goals in his first season in the Premier League following a £6m move from Southampton last August, Nosworthy believes he must score more if he is going to become one of the top flight’s best strikers.

He explained: “People forget that he hadn’t played at this level before, but he has caused problems against every defence he has faced. He’s a strong boy and he puts himself about for the team.

“He is a great team player, but he also knows that being a striker is all about goals. I’m sure he’d like to score a few more goals and I expect he will do next season.”

Nosworthy had a glimpse of Jones’ potential when they played against each other in the Championship, but it was only when he began to rough up some of the best centre-backs in the country that Sunderland realised what an exciting talent he was.

And, while the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the forward since the turn of the year, Keane will fight fiercely to keep him on Wearside even if a bid is made in the coming weeks. For his part, Jones seems happy at Sunderland and Nosworthy does not expect to see him leave any time soon as the manager will be looking to strengthen, not weaken the squad, which has kept the club in the Premier League this season.

Nosworthy added: “I knew he was a good player before he came and we saw little glimpses of what he could do in training, but it is only in game situations that you can judge someone properly and he has been vital for us.

“He’s a wonderful prospect and hopefully he’ll be at Sunderland for years to come. I can only seem him getting better and better.”

Meanwhile, Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon has admitted the players have found it tough to keep picking themselves up from disappointments this season.

Gordon initially struggled following a club record £9m move from Hearts, but he has adapted to the top flight and should also be safe from Keane’s impending cull.

He said: “It’s been a steep learning curve for all of us this season.

“We’ve been so up and down and have continuously had to pick ourselves up from disappointments.

“It’s hard when you have to keep doing that and the disappointments have mostly been away from home. Saturday was pretty typical in that we didn’t get a good start and ended up chasing the game.”