Stoke have completed the signing of Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead for an initial fee of £3m, which could rise to £5m.

SUNDERLAND boss Ricky Sbragia knows he could be fighting for his job as the season draws to a close.

Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes has joined Coca-Cola Championship side Sheffield United on a three-month loan.

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane will be handed £25 million (€31m) by his Black Cat bosses to boost his squad for the club’s second season back in the FA Premier League.

Middlesbrough 2 Sunderland 2

TODAY Ireland, tomorrow the world. Sunderland’s attempt to crack the Irish market begins with the first of three friendlies against Bohemians on Saturday, but the Republic is just the first step in a campaign to establish the club as a player on the global market, according to Niall Quinn.

Wolves 2 West Brom 3

Sunderland manager Roy Keane hit out at Steve Staunton yesterday after the Republic of Ireland Manager left three Black Cat players out of his squad to face Wales and Slovakia later this month.

Waterford United have denied reports that the club has accepted an offer from Sunderland for star striker Daryl Murphy.

Black Cat Racing/Galaxy Marketing have signed Dungannon's Kieran Dynes to drive in the ARCA/REMAX Stock Car series at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, October 4, the talented Irishman being the first European driver to compete in both ARCA and Busch NASCAR series.