Kilbane enjoying his time with Wilko

Irish international Kevin Kilbane, the boo-boy target of frustrated Sunderland fans, heads for Anfield tomorrow enjoying a new lease of life since the arrival of Howard Wilkinson at the Stadium of Light.

Kilbane struggled throughout axed manager Peter Reid’s reign to win over Black Cats fans and his future at the club seemed in doubt after a two-finger gesture to supporters in a pre-season friendly.