Sbragia: no grudge over Spurs conduct

RICKY SBRAGIA has warned the Premier League’s big spenders that Sunderland does not exist to breed good players for them.

The Black Cats had to fight off Tottenham’s concerted efforts to lure striker Kenwyne Jones from the Stadium of Light during the January transfer window, eventually turning down an offer which amounted to nearly £15million.

Sbragia was critical of Spurs’ methods as they tried to prise Jones, who the Wearsiders signed from Southampton for £6million during the summer of 2007, from their grasp.

The two clubs who meet in the north-east today are still flirting with relegation — both are only four points clear of the drop zone as they play their game in hand on the sides around them. Sbragia insists there is no resentment over Spurs’ unwanted advances, but admits they might have paid dividends not so long ago.

He said “I wasn’t happy how it was being dealt with, but it’s forgotten.

“In general, previously, Sunderland would have probably sold Kenwyne, but we have changed it a little bit.

“We want to progress and the only way we are going to progress is by keeping our best players.

“Then we have got to get to that situation where we need to bring in better quality, spend some money and bring in better quality during the summer.

“I don’t think we are here to produce players for other clubs.

“I could understand in a sense if it was a top-four club but we spoke to him and the good thing about Kenwyne was he didn’t want to go.”

The two clubs did do business, however, over French full-back Pascal Chimbonda, who returned to White Hart Lane barely six months after heading for Sunderland along with midfielders Teemu Tainio — the Finn will miss out with a knee injury — and Steed Malbranque.

Harry Redknapp, for his part, insists there is no lingering bad blood with Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn.

“The club made a good bid for Kenwyne Jones, and I’m sure Niall was pleased to say to his owners that they have a player that a club wants to pay all this money for,” said Redknapp.

“He could say ‘what good business we did bringing him here’.

“It’s no problem that they turned the offer down. Kenwyne signed a new contract, so that is great for Sunderland.

“I’ve always got on great with Niall. The chairman gets on with Niall, and they are quite good friends.”

Jermain Defoe is getting his protective boot taken off his foot in nine days so it will be Roman Pavlyuchenko or Darren Bent partnering Robbie Keane. Captain Ledley King could return while Redknapp has to choose between Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini in goal against Sbragia’s men.