Yorke must ‘give a hell of a lot more’, warns Cats boss

ROY KEANE has cracked the whip at Dwight Yorke and demanded that his former Manchester United teammate gives more to the cause at Sunderland.

Striker Yorke has taken on the captaincy in the absence of the injured Kenny Cunningham and been outstanding in midfield in the Black Cats’ last two games, both of which they won.

But tough taskmaster Keane isn’t entirely satisfied with 34-year-old Yorke, who he brought in as a talismanic figure to wield influence over the younger players on Wearside.

Asked if Yorke was helping in that role, manager Keane said: “Not at this moment in time. He needs to do a hell of a lot more, really.” Keane refused to elaborate, but added: “We always saw midfield as an option for Dwight. In the middle of the park you need that bit of experience.

“But I still wouldn’t rule him out going into a more advanced role. He’s had to change his style because you lose a bit of speed as you get older.” Keane, whose side face Championship leaders Cardiff at the Stadium of Light tonight, also issued a rebuke to Republic of Ireland midfielder Graham Kavanagh for setting himself back in his recovery from a knee operation.

Kavanagh misses a reunion with his former club tonight, and Keane said: “He would have been back a lot sooner had he not pushed himself too quickly.

“He set himself back about two weeks by taking his recovery into his own hands. A lot of players seem to do that, and we have medical staff here they need to listen to. He might have a chance of being back by the end of the week.” Keane has tipped Cardiff’s Republic midfielder Stephen McPhail for a return to the international fold.

He said: “Stephen is a good player. When he was at Leeds there was a lot of pressure on him and he didn’t quite break through. He went to Barnsley and then Cardiff and he’s had a new lease of life.

“Sometimes players go to one or two clubs and lose a bit of confidence, but he seems to be back on top form and there’s no questioning his talent. He has a beautiful left foot and he’s a player we need to watch.

“I’ve played with him with Ireland and he could be knocking on the door again, but you have to do it at club level before you can look at international level.”

Keane will tonight recall David Connolly and could have fellow Republic striker Stephen Elliott back from a long-term ankle injury for Saturday’s trip to Norwich.

And Keane believes they can form a potent partnership. He said: “I’m confident Connolly will get into double figures for goals this season. I think two little fellas like David and Stephen can play together because they’re good players.

“Stevie will maybe be in with a shout by the end of the week. He’s looked very sharp in training since he came back from injury, and that will keep the other strikers on their toes.”