Thornton wants another chance

Mick McCarthy has revealed that Sean Thornton has apologised to him for the recent transfer request saga, and wants another chance to make a name for himself in the senior squad.

Thornton's agent Lee Payne said in mid-September that Thornton wanted a move away from the Stadium of Light, and would be submitting a written transfer request.

But Mick McCarthy said some days later that he hadn't received any such request, and hinted that he considered Thornton and his agent were "testing the water" via the media, saying " want players at this club who want to play for this name on the front of the shirt - Sunderland - not the name on the back".

Tyne Tees news reported recently that Thornton had reported back for duty during the summer around a stone overweight, and that since then he had received "repeated warnings about his health and fitness".

But now has come the news that the young Irishman wants to 'mend fences' and work his way back into contention for regular first team starts.

Mick told the Sunderland Echo this weekend, "Sean has seen me and apologised for a lot that has been said and written and wants to try and make a go of things here.

"And to be fair to Sean, he's getting his head down and he's training hard."