Dwight Yorke leads the Sunderland clearout

May 29 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

DWIGHT Yorke has emerged as the biggest casualty of a cull of Sunderland fringe men following the club’s flirt with relegation from the Premier League.

The veteran midfielder was one of seven out-of-contract players released by the managerless Black Cats yesterday, heading a list that was compiled by former boss Ricky Sbragia before he jetted off to Australia on holiday.

And, as Sunderland continue their preparations for next season, there were claims last night that the club has been given permission to speak to number one managerial target Steve Bruce.

All the indications are that Bruce remains the first choice of the Cats’ board, but Sunderland let it be known earlier in the week that they have other options if Wigan continue to ask for double the £3m compensation that they paid Birmingham for his services nearly two years ago.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan said yesterday that Bruce has been given the go-ahead to talk to the Black Cats about their managerial vacancy – but it was unclear whether an agreement on compensation had been reached. That is believed to be a major sticking point at this juncture.

As moves continue in the boardroom, seven senior professionals have been released.

David Connolly, who has not played a senior game since January 2008, is another freed by Sunderland, while Arnau Riera, Darren Ward, Nick Colgan and defenders Niall McArdle and Peter Hartley are also included.

Michael Chopra is included in Sunderland’s ‘retained’ list but he will automatically join Cardiff on July 1 for a fee in the region of £4m. Calum Davenport and Tal Ben-Haim have returned to West Ham United and Manchester City respectively.

Yorke had been hopeful of getting a new deal if former team-mate Bruce had been appointed as boss, but Sunderland have taken the decision to release him before any appointment is made. They remain hopeful of appointing the Wigan manager, although progress will depend on an agreement being reached on compensation for the deal.