Dwight Yorke leads the Sunderland clearout

May 29 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Yorke’s release brings to a conclusion a frustrating season for the Trinidad & Tobago international, who was scheduled to return to the Caribbean to report for international duty today.

Despite offers from Australia, he signed for another season with Sunderland last summer desperate for another crack at the Premier League, but made only eight appearances.

Despite assuming a more senior role when Sbragia took over from Roy Keane in December, his last game was a five-minute appearance as substitute in April against former club Manchester United.

Indeed, The Journal understands that one of Sbragia’s final acts as boss was to apologise to Yorke for not playing him more often in the final weeks of the season, admitting that the midfielder’s experience would have been a valuable asset as the team struggled desperately for form.

Yorke’s future will now be determined by whether Trinidad & Tobago gain ground in the race to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

The announcement of the retained list came on another intriguing day on Wearside, which saw new majority shareholder Ellis Short outline his vision for the club now he has taken over. He is targeting a top-10 finish – although that may depend on the identity of the club’s next boss.

Meanwhile, yesterday saw fresh speculation on the Sunderland goalkeeping situation. Reports in Poland claimed that Artur Boruc, the Celtic goalkeeper, may be heading for Sunderland this summer. He is being tipped to leave the Glasgow giants in the close season.

And Panathinaikos have been linked with a move for Black Cats keeper Marton Fülöp after having him watched several times last season. A bid of around £1.8m has been touted – double the fee Sunderland paid for him.