England's Joe Cole (left) battles for the ball with Trinidad and Tobago's Dwight Yorke during their Group B World Cup 2006 match in Nuremberg on Thursday. - reuters

sunderland, england (cmc):

Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup star Dwight Yorke said he was keen on helping English Championship team Sunderland gain promotion to the Premiership.

At 35, the former Manchester United striker is in the twilight of his career but said he believed he could use his experience to lift the 11th-place north-east England side.

"Hopefully I can play my part in trying to get Sunderland promotion," said Yorke, who signed a two-year deal with Sunderland at the start of the season.

"It's been a little bit up and down but we're trying to find some consistency. Although we think we should have got more points, we'd have taken being at this stage right now after where we were three or four months ago.

"There are signs of progress. I'm sure when everyone's up and running, and when the competition for places becomes more intense that will make the whole team better."

Mixed career

Yorke has had a mixed career in recent years. After leaving United in 2002, he had troubled spells at Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, before moving to Sydney FC in the Australian A-League.

He spent one year there, helping his side to the inaugural title before returning to join Sunderland during the summer.

Yorke, who captained Trinidad & Tobago during the World Cup campaign in Germany 2006, said the break from the English game helped him recharge his batteries.

"Don't forget I played at the top level for 16, 17 years," Yorke pointed out.

"That was a long time and I needed a change. Sydney provided me with that. But coming back here was no problem. The gaffer brought me back and I was very flattered about that."

Competition at Sunderland under coach Roy Keane has been tough with Yorke being forced to spend several games on the bench.

He has managed, however, to force his way back into the starting line-up on occasions and said he had no problem fighting for his place.

"The competition for places in midfield is good at the moment and that's the way football should be," said Yorke, a highly successful Aston Villa marksman during the '90s.

"If you're not in the team it's about fighting your way back in and when you get your chance you've got to take the opportunity. I don't know it any other way. That's the way it's always been. It's good and healthy.

"Once every player has realised that's what football is all about, we'll all benefit.

When you think you should be in the team and you see someone else come in and score it brings a good competitive edge to the team. I think that's what we need, it's what the gaffer's trying to create.

"No-one's place is safe, even me and that's good. We have to recognise that and rise to the occasion."