Ghana 1 USA 2

Daniel Sturridge would never go down the same route as Luis Suarez and handball a goalbound shot in a World Cup.

This is a world which demands instant gratification; one in which you can play guitar on a games consul rather than practise the real thing until your fingers bleed; one in which football chairmen cannot wait months let alone years for success — and one in which high-profile transfer deadline-day signings are expected to be heroes before they have unpacked their suitcases.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes English football fans should enjoy watching Luis Suarez while they can.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is convinced big-money signings Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson will bring the flair back to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill today confirmed the signing of "underrated" striker Steven Fletcher from Wolves but remained cagey on two other potential targets.

Sunderland have signed free agent Louis Saha to boost their striking options on the eve of the new season.

Sunderland defender Wes Brown was today heading back to Wearside fearing yet another lengthy injury lay-off.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is remaining patient as he attempts to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer market.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has completed a permanent move to United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan’s long-term future could become clearer later this week.

Martin O’Neill is happy to be watching the fight for Premier League survival from afar as Sunderland’s season ends with a whimper.

Martin O’Neill is happy to be watching the fight for Barclays Premier League survival from afar as Sunderland’s season ends with a whimper.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has hinted that record signing Asamoah Gyan is unlikely to return to the club.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has insisted Stephane Sessegnon is happy on Wearside despite continued speculation that he could leave the club.

Sunderland have recorded an overall loss of £7.8m (€9.3m) as they prepare for the implementation of UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

Emmanuel Mayuka’s second-half strike fired Zambia through to the Nations final against Ivory Coast as they upset 10-man Ghana in Bata last night.

JOHN MENSAH scored, then saw red as 10-man Ghana held on to beat Botswana in their African Nations Cup Group D opener.

WHAT comes after the last-chance saloon?

MARTIN O’NEILL insists he accepted the job of Sunderland manager without a single mention of the January transfer kitty.

Martin O’Neill today signed a three-year contract to become manager of Sunderland.

Martin O’Neill was on Wearside this morning as Sunderland edged closer to sealing his appointment as their new manager.

Sunderland chairman Ellis Short was today hoping to thrash out a deal to make Martin O’Neill the club’s new manager.

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham suffered no serious damage when he injured his knee at Manchester United, the club has confirmed.

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 2

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is set to make a shock season-long loan move to the United Arab Emirates after months of speculation over his future.

Loan signing Nicklas Bendtner could made his Sunderland debut against Chelsea tomorrow.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is out of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea after returning injured from international duty.

Swansea 0 Sunderland 0

Steve Bruce is already facing tough questions over the Sunderland team he has rebuilt this summer after a 1-0 Carling Cup exit at Brighton followed hard on the heels of defeat by a similar margin at home to local rivals Newcastle just four days earlier.

Sunderland 0 Newcastle 1

Sunderland defender John O’Shea is rated at 50-50 to make his Barclays Premier League debut for the club in tomorrow’s derby clash with Newcastle.

Liverpool 1 Sunderland 1

Steve Bruce will this week step up his efforts to persuade a trio of Manchester United players to swap Old Trafford for Sunderland.

South Korea international Ji Dong-won became Sunderland’s second signing in as many days this afternoon when he completed his move from Chunnam Dragons.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce today landed a major transfer coup when he snapped up teenage Ipswich striker Connor Wickham.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was today hoping to stage a double transfer coup as he closed in on striker Connor Wickham and midfielder Craig Gardner.

THE new era at Old Trafford stepped up a gear last night with Ashley Young set to become Manchester United’s second summer signing after undergoing a medical with the Premier League champions last night.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light this summer and declared he is “fully committed” to the Wearsiders.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn today moved to dismiss speculation that striker Asamoah Gyan has been offered for sale.

West Ham 0 Sunderland 3

Sunderland are set to have a striker available for Sunday’s Premier League trip to West Ham after Asamoah Gyan returned to training.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will start this summer’s recruitment process on Monday morning as he attempts to pick up some early bargains.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will be without an entire starting XI for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Wolves.