Kenwyne keen to impress Red Devils

Published: 11 Apr 2009 - 11:45:00

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Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones is keen to show the Manchester United management what they missed out on at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The 24-year-old had a two-week trial at United in 2002, but he failed to make a lasting impression and was sent away to reconsider his footballing future.The Trinidad striker was not deterred by the setback, however, and he had further tryouts at Rangers and West Ham before settling at Southampton. Now, seven years later, he is an integral part of a Sunderland team fighting for their Premier League lives. Jones has scored seven times in 18 league starts for the Black Cats, but he was left on the bench for their last match against West Ham after a midweek international call-up. Jones, who ended up with Ricky Sbragia's team via Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke, said he never doubted his ability and he says he wants to prove that he is good enough to play at the very highest level. Jones told The Sun: "I had a trial there seven years ago. It was my first experience of a big club and their set-up."When I experienced what it was like, I knew that is what I wanted to do."I saw players like van Nistelrooy, Laurent Blanc, Juan Veron and, of course, Dwight Yorke. "It spurred me on to work even harder to get there. If I had let that get me down, I wouldn't be here today."