Unhappy Daryl Murphy plans a pay cut

May 21 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

TRANSFER-LISTED Daryl Murphy has signalled his willingness to take a wage cut to end his two-year Sunderland nightmare.

Murphy is wanted by Ipswich, Reading and Championship play-off finalists Cardiff City but knows none of those clubs will be able to match the terms of his deal at the Stadium of Light. While he still has another two years of his contract left, the Republic of Ireland international is not prepared to see out the rest of his deal on the margins at Sunderland.

Murphy is aware his career has stalled over the last two years, and manager Steve Bruce has told him he does not figure in his plans for next season. Sunderland already have forwards Darren Bent, Kenwyne Jones and Fraizer Campbell – while Bruce is likely to resist Leicester’s overtures to take Martyn Waghorn back on loan.

The 27-year-old Murphy scored six goals in 18 games on loan at Portman Road last season and Roy Keane would like to take him back to East Anglia next term. However, Keane faces competition in the race for his former striker, with Reading and the Bluebirds both having enquired about his availability.

As compensation for a sizeable wage cut, the striker would be hopeful of securing a long-term deal. Murphy’s realistic attitude

will come as a relief to the Black Cats, who are planning a summer cull which that could see as many as nine of last season’s senior squad depart the Stadium of Light.

Bruce is understood to be willing to listen to offers for Murphy, Phil Bardsley, Nyron Nosworthy, Márton Fülöp, Anton Ferdinand, Teemu Tainio, George McCartney and David Healy, while Roy O’Donovan will leave the club when his contract expires next month.

Wages are likely to be the major barrier to those players leaving though, with Nosworthy’s situation typical of the dilemma that the fringe men face.