Source: Northern_Echo
Richardson eyes England call after agreeing deal
AFTER committing his longterm future to Sunderland, Kieran Richardson set himself the target of forcing his way into Fabio Capello's England squad.[LNB] Richardson penned a new three-year deal before Saturday's narrow 2-1 victory at Championship outfit Leicester City.[LNB] With only one year left on his deal, Richardson's advisors had been in talks since the end of last season over a new contract but manager Steve Bruce insisted the former Manchester United midfielder operated at left-back, rather than his preferred attacking berth.[LNB] After accepting that his future lies in defence, Richardson is now looking forward to cementing his place in the Wearsiders' line-up and catching Capello's eye.[LNB] England is a realistic target for me, definitely. Playing at left back gives me that chance and I want to get in there and catch the England manager's eye, said Richardson, who earned senior England call-ups under Sven Goran Erikson and Steve Mc- Claren.[LNB] I have to do my talking on the pitch first. What happened in the World Cup, with England not doing so well, will hopefully get the manager to consider giving a few new faces a chance.[LNB] His new deal will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2013 and Bruce has confirmed he is no longer looking to recruit a new left back.[LNB] Richardson added: Rumours were going around that I was interested in leaving but everyone in-house knew I always saw my long-term future at Sunderland.[LNB] I am enjoying my role. It's not new to me and I am looking forward to playing there this season and doing well for the club. I'm delighted to stay here for a few more years and maybe earn a testimonial![LNB] Richardson was one of the few players to do himself justice in Sunderland's penultimate pre-season friendly as a well-organised Leicester side exposed weaknesses in the Black Cats' midfield and defence.[LNB] Lee Cattermole was struggling for match fitness and the new centre-back partnership of Michael Turner and Titus Bramble needs time to gel.[LNB] Bruce will put some of his players through a behindclosed- doors game against Hamilton this evening as he builds towards the Premier League kick-off on August 14.[LNB] And despite Simon Mignolet pulling off a string of excellent saves to deny the Foxes, Bruce is expected to recruit an experienced goalkeeper on loan after Trevor Carson's shoulder injury further depleted his resources.[LNB] The Northern Ireland Under-21 keeper was replaced by Academy of Light product Ben Wilson in Saturday's squad.[LNB] The problem I have is that Craig Gordon is out for at least another six-to-eight weeks, Marton Fulop is on the cusp of joining Ipswich and Trevor Carson got injured on Friday. That leaves me gambling and in the Premier League I'm not really one for gambling. We need to make sure we are right, said Bruce.[LNB] Strikes from Fraizer Campbell and Jordan Henderson handed Sunderland victory with Andy King replying for the home side.[LNB] Sunderland (4-4-2): Mignolet; Ferdinand (Bardsley 20), Bramble (Da Silva 62), Turner, Richardson; Al-Muhammadi, Henderson (Liddle 80), Cattermole (Zenden 72), Malbranque (Colback 70); Campbell, Bent (Jones 74). Subs (not used): Wilson, Angeleri.[LNB]
