Yorke's Sunderland future determined by a Keane call

3:03am Friday 16th May 2008

DWIGHT YORKE jetted off on holiday this week, with his contract situation up in the air, after telling Sunderland manager Roy Keane to 'pick up the phone'.

Yorke's two-year contract at the Stadium of Light expires at the end of next month, when he has an option of returning to play in the country where Keane plucked him from, Australia.

It remains the former Trinidad & Tobago captain's desire to play on in the Premier League but, given his age, he knows that offers are likely to be hard to come by.

Keane, though, has always maintained there should be place on Wearside for Yorke - even if it is in a player/coaching capacity.

But Yorke, 36, given his experience and standing in the game, feels he is too old to be begging for a new deal and is on holiday with his family, while keeping his mobile phone on.

"He (Keane) knew I was going on holiday straight away with the family," said Yorke. "I'm going to do my thing. He knows my number, I know the gaffer's number. I don't know what my plans are going to be or where I'll be.

"He lives in Manchester occasionally, I live in Manchester. I've no set plan, I could end up anywhere in the world. He just has to pick up the phone.

"At the moment I've just got to go away, take stock. If the phone rings and the manager wants to speak to me, he knows where I am. I've got to decide in my head if I want to play another year. I feel I can but I'll think about it and see where we are."

Having endured difficult times during spells with Blackburn and, more latterly, Birmingham, Yorke lost his appetite for the game. The death of his sister also played a part, but his move to Sunderland and a World Cup appearance helped revive his passion.

He was integral to Sunderland's promotion bid in the Championship last season, while he been more on the periphery on the club's return to the Premier League.

Nevertheless his performance in the holding midfield role in the defeat to Arsenal last Sunday highlighted that he can still perform at the highest level.

"I went through a stage where I wasn't enjoying football at all. I could easily have walked away from the game at that particular time," said Yorke. "I lost my sister and football wasn't my priority, I didn't feel my heart was in football.

"Then I went to the World Cup with Trinidad in 2006. The spark was back. I know when I look back my sister would have wanted me to play for as long as I possibly could.

"After speaking to people I just got my passion back for the game. When I went to Birmingham and Blackburn it was a very bad time for me.

"I can tell you I won' be playing until I'm 41 like Teddy Sheringham. He can have that record. I would like to think I will play one more year then maybe I would look at retirement.

"I still think I can play in the hole or what they call the second striker if given the chance. But it's not for me to make that call."

Yorke won plenty during his days at Manchester United, including the Champions League in 1999. He does, though, feel satisfaction from helping Sunderland stay up this season.

"The history at this club has not been particularly great, when they go up they tend to go straight down," he said. "I could see from the appreciation of the fans how important it was for us to survive. The gaffer will want more ammunition to bring in more quality players."

Sunderland, meanwhile, will take on Sporting Lisbon as part of a two-game pre-season mini-tournament in the Algarve.

Keane's team will take part in the Albufeira Cup, at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium and meet Sporting on Sunday, July 20, followed by a game against Vitoria de Setubal on July 23.

Fans wishing to head to Portugal can do so with Sunderland Travel. Call 0161 829 6587.

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