Winger slims down
10:58am Monday 23rd June 2008
KIERAN RICHARDSON has embarked on his own summer fitness programme in an attempt to show Sunderland manager Roy Keane that he can live up to his billing as a £5.5m footballer.
The former Manchester United midfielder struggled to overcome injury problems in his first season on Wearside and has accepted that his performances were not good enough.
But, rather than dwell on a frustrating first year in the North-East, Richardson feels the fitness work he has put in this summer will help to bring the best out of him again.
He has shed ten kilos and is convinced he is now in the right frame of mind again - the sort of mindset he had when he scored twice on his England debut three years ago.
"Last season was very difficult because shortly after I arrived I discovered a stress fracture in my back and the cure was rest," said Richardson. "That kept me out for four months and made me lose the fitness I had built up during pre-season.
"When I came back I had put on ten kilos which I felt was a bit too heavy for me. In the last 20 minutes of games I just felt the extra weight was taking its toll and I think that played a part in my hamstring going.
"But I've been working really hard this summer and I'm back down to 74 kilos, my ideal weight.
I've started early so that when pre-season starts I will be flying.
I want to show Sunderland fans the best of me and repay the manager for bringing me here."
Richardson was left out of Keane's match day squad for the final game of the season against Arsenal, after turning up for training late because of a train crash.
That development played a part in his determination to return to pre-season in the best physical shape, knowing that Sunderland supporters have only occasionally seen him at his best.
Richardson will be acutely aware that Keane is planning to invest heavily in his squad this summer, and at least one new midfielder is in his sights.
Middlesbrough's George Boateng has again been considered, although the Black Cats boss pulled out when he had the chance to sign him in January.