Campbell warns striking rivals

Posted Sunday, September 27, 2009 by PA

Fraizer Campbell has warned Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones he will not be content to live in their shadow.

The 22-year-old, whose summer move to Sunderland from Manchester United could eventually cost the Black Cats #6million, opened his goalscoring account for the club in Tuesday night's 2-0 Carling Cup third-round victory over Birmingham.

It was his third successive start after manager Steve Bruce decided to leave Jones on the bench at Burnley last weekend following his lengthy trip back from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Bruce admits the youngster's performances have left him with a big decision to make for the Barclays Premier League clash with Wolves at the Stadium of Light with he, Jones and leading scorer Bent competing for the two berths up front.

Campbell is well aware he is the junior partner, but has vowed to do all he can to make sure the big two do not have things all their own way.

He said: "It's just like any club, you have got to work really hard to get into the team, and then even harder to keep yourself in the team.

"I knew it would be a challenge, but that's what I wanted for myself, a fresh start, a new challenge, and hopefully I can force my way into the team.

"But at the same time, we just want to win the game, so I am sure whoever is on the bench and whoever is playing, we will all be fully behind the team.

"It's a team game. We have got a lot of games left and whoever is playing will play and whoever is on the bench will get their chance."

Bruce has high hopes for his England Under-21 international, and while record signing Bent has five goals to his name in six games for his new club and Jones has been the leading light for the last two seasons, the pair have genuine competition.

The manager has been particularly impressed with the way Bent and Campbell have linked up on the training pitch, and is keen for the three men to work on the respective partnerships to allow him to change his approach when he feels the need.

Campbell said: "Some partnerships work better than others, but we have been working well in training - but that's not to say we haven't been working well with Kenwyne as well.

"It's as difficult as you make it. We have a good understanding in training during the week.

"It's as hard or as easy as you make it. If you get on well and you are chatting to each other, it is relatively easy."

Meanwhile, former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has challenged his Wolves players to find the "devilment" needed to win on the biggest stages in the Premier League.

With seven points from their first six games, Wolves have made a solid start to life back in the top flight after a five-year absence.

But McCarthy is calling for more from his players.

Wednesday's narrow 1-0 Carling Cup defeat against Manchester United convinced him even more that the potential is there but he has called on his side to come up with that little bit extra to turn promising displays into wins.

He said: "As a club we have fantastic potential. But we have to stay in the Premier League to realise that potential."

McCarthy hopes record #6.5m signing Kevin Doyle will be the man to inject that missing ingredient into his side.

McCarthy has pinned a lot on the impact he hopes the Republic of Ireland international striker will make following his club record move from Reading in July.

The beginning of Doyle's career has been stop-start due to injury problems but his first goal for the club against Fulham last week is a sign that he is beginning to get back to his best.

McCarthy also feels that the success Doyle enjoyed in the top flight with Reading should serve as an inspiration to his team-mates.

Doyle returns to the starting line-up after his role as a substitute against United and will be one of at least four changes McCarthy makes to his starting line-up.

Striker Andy Keogh will also return along with right-back Greg Halford and midfielder Dave Edwards.

England under-21 international winger Michael Kightly will continue his comeback from six months on the sidelines with hip and foot problems from the bench.

McCarthy is delighted to have Kightly available and is convinced it will not be long before he is back to his best.

"I would say that he is still at only 80% in terms of his match fitness," said McCarthy.

"He just didn't have that little bit extra against United and you only get that with matches."