Yorke in line for January move

10:28am Saturday 22nd November 2008

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DWIGHT Yorke’s Sunderland career could be about to end, with the veteran midfielder linked with a January transfer move away from the Stadium of Light.

After joining Kenwyne Jones on the Trinidad and Tobago scoresheet in their midweek victory over Cuba, the 37-year-old admits his time on Wearside may soon draw to a close.

“Nothing in football surprises me,” said Yorke, who has played in just four Premier League matches this season after featuring in half of Sunderland’s fixtures last year.

“I heard the whisper. It does not concern me at all. I have a contract there until the end of the season.

Whether I remain there is left to be seen.

“Obviously, it has not been a great season in terms of playing all the games, occasionally I have played a game here and there.”

And with Roy Keane working to reduce the club’s wage bill, Yorke faces being deemed surplus to requirements in the next transfer window.

However, with his current deal believed to be in the region of £20,000 per week, it remains to be seen if another club would be prepared to offer a permanent contract.

The former Sydney FC forward agreed a one year extension with the Wearsiders in July after a move to Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners collapsed over wage demands.

And a move Down Under may be his most likely destination as Yorke approaches the end of his playing career.

“I’m grateful at my age anyway, still competing at the top of the Premier League”

said Yorke. “I’m delighted at that and I realise that I wont be able to play every day. If the manager says my time is up, he’s in a position to make certain adjustments.”

Yorke was at the heart of the row between Roy Keane and FIFA Vice President Jack Warner when the Sunderland manager withdrew his player from the Soca Warriors’ squad in a key World Cup qualifier in October. But the midfielder played down reports of ongoing problems between the two parties.

“I’m not going to get into the politics, I’m there to play football. There has always been a country and club rivalry over the years and I have always been in between,”

said Yorke.

“But I will do what is right for me and what is right for Sunderland. They obviously pay my bills and put the bread and butter on the table, as we say.”