Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Stokes rules out transfer

16 Jan 2008 - 15:23:26

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Sunderland's teenage striker Anthony Stokes has distanced himself from reports linking him with a transfer this month.

The 19-year-old has struggled to impress on Wearside this term, spending most of the season on the substitute's bench, and has also been involved in several off-pitch controversies.

The capture of French teenager Jean-Yves M'Voto from Paris St Germain has intensified rumours suggesting Stokes is set to leave Wearside, but the former Arsenal trainee is determined to prove his worth at the Stadium of Light.

He told the Northern Echo: "I'm not planning on going anywhere, unless the gaffer has a different outlook.

"I haven't heard anything to that effect, though, and I certainly don't plan to leave.

"I'm really happy here. I'm enjoying playing for Sunderland and I'm planning to see out my contract.

"I'll be the first to admit that I've been inconsistent since I came here. The fans haven't seen the best of me yet, and there's still a lot more to come.

"I've had to be patient and I've had to work hard. But I've done that and I'm hoping people will start to see the real me now."