SUNDERLAND winger Ross Wallace has thanked manager Roy Keane for the chance to fight his way off the transfer list.
The 23-year-old Scot looked to be on his way out of the Stadium of Light in January when he was made available in the same week as a knee injury sidelined him for three months.
Indeed, the club went as far as accepting an offer for him from Presto
n earlier this month.
However, Wallace rejected the opportunity to drop back down to the Coca-Cola Championship and has since proved himself to such an extent that, like fellow former Celtic midfielder Liam Miller, he has persuaded Keane to remove his name from the list. He said: "The gaffer never said the door was completely closed to me and that gave me the incentive to try to turn things around.
"I have not been wondering this summer if I would be moved on – I have been focused on coming back to prepare for another season with Sunderland.
"The gaffer has always been honest with the players. If you are playing well and showing the right attitude, you will be in the team.
"He doesn't say something to you for the sake of it – he wasn't bluffing when I went on the list.
"But he gives you the chance to change things."
Now Wallace is determined to show Keane there is more to come from him than he has seen in the two years since he brought him to the Stadium of Light from Parkhead
He played the first half of the Black Cats' stormy 3-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon in Albufeira on Sunday evening and will hope for further action against Vitoria de Setubal tonight.
Wallace told the Sunderland Echo: "I spoke to the gaffer in the summer when the bid came in from Preston and he said he would be more than happy to see me back in training fighting for my place.
"After having my injury, I felt I needed to come back after the summer. I wouldn't say I needed to prove myself, but I feel I have a lot more to give Sunderland.
"I felt pretty good last season. There were games I should have done better, but then the gaffer made his decision, I got injured and I had to concentrate on getting fit for the end of last season."
Midfielder Kieran Richardson picked up a thigh injury in training yesterday and will be assessed ahead of the game.
While Keane and his staff put the players through their paces in Portugal, chairman Niall Quinn and chief executive Peter Walker were attempting to push through a first summer swoop.
The manager delayed his own departure to the training camp to speak to Tottenham quartet Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio and Younes Kaboul, and is now awaiting answers.
But one man who will not be on Wearside when the new campaign gets under way is former Barcelona midfielder Arnau Riera.
The 26-year-old, who spent the last campaign on loan at Falkirk, has joined the Scottish Premier League side on another season-long deal.
Riera, who was signed by Quinn from Barcelona in August 2006 during his brief spell as manager, will see out the final year of his Sunderland contract north of the border.
The Spaniard managed to play only two senior games for the Black Cats and was harshly sent off two minutes into his first start.
He has been unable to force his way into Keane's plans and had a short trial at Blackpool this summer before heading for Scotland once again.
Tainio has been quoted as suggesting he would be interested playing under Keane and in a regular role in central midfield.
"Of course it's flattering that such a legend would like me to play in his team," Tainio said.
"Sunderland and Tottenham agreed to the transfer for the common interest and Sunderland would be an interesting option.
"The first impression (of Sunderland] was good but the transfer still has a course to run. My negotiations are still taking place.
"Sunderland have a great stadium as well as tremendous fans. I understand they are interested in playing me in the centre of midfield."
The full article contains 710 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
