The future's bright at Sunderland says Fülöp

Feb 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MÁRTON Fülöp believes Sunderland can become regular fixtures in the Premier League’s top ten after signing on at the Stadium of Light for another three-and-a-half-years.

Fülöp penned a contract extension yesterday, the offer of a long-term deal coming on the back of the 25-year-old establishing himself as the Black Cats’ first-choice goalkeeper this season. The deal ties the Hungarian to the Wearside club until 2012 and he has eyes on helping the club become a genuine force in the top half of the table.

“I’m delighted to sign on. I’m delighted with the progress that the club has made since I’ve been here and I’m happy to get the chance to commit my own future,” he told the club’s official website. “I enjoy being here and I hope to get success with the club. I think it is a great run that we’re on at the moment.

“The team is getting better and better and I can’t see any reason why we can’t continue, why we can’t finish in the top ten this season. The club looks very strong going forward and I’m sure that we will be able to put more smiles on the

supporters’ faces in the future.” Fülöp’s decision to commit his future to Sunderland means that, along with Craig Gordon, the club will have two international calibre goalkeepers on their books for the foreseeable future.

And, while one of the pair will be unhappy at being left out, boss Ricky Sbragia believes that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

“Márton has been excellent and this is reward for him,” Sbragia said. “You need two top-class keepers and we think we’ve got that. They will push each other to higher levels.”

It is a remarkable reversal of fortune for Fülöp, who was close to leaving Sunderland for Stoke in the summer. Only crossed wires between Roy Keane and Stoke boss Tony Pulis prevented the 25-year-old from departing.

But, after Gordon suffered an ankle injury in October, he has made the most of his opportunity to impress.

Fülöp has made 17 appearances this season, turning in arguably his best display of the season as the Black Cats held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates last weekend.

And, although Gordon has returned to fitness – and was outstanding in his comeback game at Blackburn earlier this month – he has been unable to oust Fülöp from the starting XI.

“It is fantastic to work with Craig Gordon and the other goalkeepers at the club,” said Fülöp. “We’ve got five goalkeepers and they are all of a good standard.

“I think that pushes us all on and makes us all play better.”

Fülöp is likely to retain his place for Sunderland’s trip to Anfield on Tuesday, but there is a doubt over Kenwyne Jones’ fitness.

He has not trained since limping off the field at Arsenal and Sbragia admits there is some concern. Djibril Cissé will be back for the game against his former club, but Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio are both doubts.

“Kenwyne hasn’t trained since the Arsenal game. He has a knee injury and a couple of other knocks but we think he’ll be okay,” Sbragia said.

“We have a few knocks and the way we set up at Liverpool depends on who we have available. We’ll see what we’ve got over the weekend and on Monday we’ll decide how we go.”

While Fülöp was delighted to extend his stay at the club one of Sunderland’s young guns, Jordan Henderson, has extended his time away from Wearside.

The 18-year-old winger will now stay at Championship side Coventry City until the end of the campaign. He has impressed in six games for the Sky Blues, helping them beat Blackburn Rovers this week to claim an FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Chelsea.