Black Cats will defend as a team – Campbell

Sep 5 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

While some of his team-mates sweated on their future this week, Campbell enjoyed watching the events of transfer deadline day unfold in the knowledge that he was an integral part of Sunderland’s plans for the campaign.

That was despite some fanciful reports that he may be part of the deal that brought Michael Turner to the Stadium of Light – claims surely driven by Hull who made extensive efforts to recruit him over this summer.

“I have no idea where that has come from at all! I had a laugh to myself,” he said. “I want to be here for a long time. I have come here to kick on with my career and it is a perfect place to do it. But I’m only just getting started.”

Sunderland were linked with a move for 27-year-old Honduras striker Carlo Costly. He is currently with Polish side Belchtow but has experience of English football, having played at Birmingham City on loan last season.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have handed the number four shirt vacated by Teemu Tainio to new signing Michael Turner. Fellow new boy John Mensah will wear the number 12 shirt. Another new arrival, Lee Cattermole, scored the winner for England Under-21s in their 2-1 2011 Uefa Championship qualifying victory over Macedonia last night.

Stuart Pearce’s team had to come from a goal down to prevail 2-1, after Agim Ibraimi had put the hosts 1-0 up. Substitute Freddie Sears levelled before Jack Wilshere was fouled in the area and Cattermole scored from the spot six minutes from time.

FORMER Sunderland midfielder Dwight Yorke has announced his retirement from football.

The 37-year-old, who was released by the Black Cats at the end of last season, won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1999 as well as three successive Premiership titles.

Yorke, who captained Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup, said: “It’s time to hang up my boots. While I’m still in great shape, but I’m not getting any younger.”