Diouf: I’ll produce the goods in derby

Oct 22 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

EL-HADJI Diouf has promised Sunderland supporters that his form will improve drastically in the coming weeks – after admitting that his international obligations to Senegal have hit his attempts to make a flying start to life at the Stadium of Light.

Diouf’s contributions have tailed off after an impressive first few games for the Black Cats, and the summer signing has had to make do with a place among the substitutes for Sunderland’s last two games against Arsenal and Fulham.

It is a role he has been unaccustomed to in recent seasons as a mainstay of a Bolton team that established itself in the top half of the Premier League under Sam Allardyce, but far from being unhappy Diouf believes resting him was excellent management on Roy Keane’s part.

The forward admits to feeling fatigued and distracted by Senegal’s ultimately failed attempts to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as well as suffering with a slight hamstring strain.

But, with international exertions now behind him, Diouf feels recharged and ready to make an impact in a game that represents the biggest stage since he took over at Sunderland.

“I'm not in my best form but I think the best is coming,” he said.

“When I signed for Sunderland, I had no summer break – I had four games. That is why I am a little bit tired. It's good for me to have a break and I like what the gaffer has done, giving me a little break from playing.

“It is good for me and will help me come back to playing my best football. I am much better when I focus on just one thing, I focus on

the Premier League now and not Senegal. The national team – that is gone now. I am thinking about one thing now – Sunderland.

“I didn't say anything to the gaffer about resting me. He knows me, though. He knows my performances are not quite right. Now I feel better. I feel better in training and I need to keep going. My best is around the corner – why should it not come against Newcastle?”

While Diouf is clearly exasperated at what he perceives as mismanagement by the Senegalese FA since their breakthrough performance at World Cup 2002, he will not be announcing his international retirement anytime soon.

His criticisms of the national set-up bear an eerie similarity to those made by his manager in his famous autobiography. “I agree with what the manager (Roy Keane) said,” Diouf admitted. “It is exactly the same for us, sometimes when we fly the players are in economy when the federation members are first class. Too many things are wrong. I am not happy to be out of the World Cup, especially when it is played in an African nation, but maybe it is a good thing because now we see the problems.”

Meanwhile, striker Kenwyne Jones is set to make his return for the Black Cats’ second string tonight – but he is far from certain he will play a part at the weekend.

Jones’ first competitive game since injuring his knee in an international friendly with England could be a stepping stone to a return against Newcastle, but the Trinidad & Tobago forward is taking nothing for granted.

“I can’t say what’s going to happen with the derby. I can’t talk about what’s going to happen after today,” he said.

“I’ve got the reserve game and God willing that goes well, then I can look forward to the next day and then the process starts again. If I’m in the squad so be it, but I can’t do anything about it. In some senses, I’m still in rehab. I’m not going to cross my fingers or anything because when you cross something it messes you up. So we’ll just wait and see.”