Niall Quinn retires due to injury - reports

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn will announce his retirement from football at half-time during today’s Barclaycard Premiership match with Spurs.

The 36-year-old Republic of Ireland striker had originally intended to await the results of a second scan on his back – due next week, according to the Wearside club’s official website, www.safc.com.

But he has since had a change of mind and will use today’s game to make the announcement after talking with Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson yesterday.

Wilkinson, however, has asked Quinn not to cut his ties with the club and to stay on in an ambassador’s role.

Quinn joined Sunderland from Manchester City in 1996 and will be most remembered for the explosive partnership he built with Kevin Phillips.

The former Manchester City man retired from the international scene after the World Cup last summer.