Bally the debt collector...?

Former midfield hardman Kevin Ball has been charged with implementing a new disciplinary system at the Stadium of Light - but it has little to do with what happens on the field!

The club has introduced a system of player fines in an attempt to get players to toe the line - and raise money for their Christmas party in the process. Bally's part in the procedure is to make sure that players actually cough up the required dosh for their misdemeanours, and he's now apparently known by the players as "The Policeman".

Perhaps the most severe fine of the lot - although still loose change for most of today's footballers - is a £200 penalty for swapping first-team shirts with the oppo, of which Matty Piper told BBC News "We are not allowed to give any shirts away after any kind of game or keep them for ourselves. That is a £200 fine - so my shirt is staying on my back!"

Other fines include:

- £50 for using a mobile phone in the dressing room
- £25 for not wearing flip-flops in the shower.

Piper recently fell foul of the £25 flip-flops rule and said "There have been a few hefty fines handed out recently, so everyone has to be on their guard."

Fines are also given if players are caught using their mobile phones in the dressing room, or if they turn up late to training or matches - so Sean Thornton and Jeff Whitley are probably the people to ask about the financial redress for that...

To help the players remember, Bally has pinned lists of the 'crimes' and the relevant fines up on the dressing room walls - but fines are doubled if not paid within a week.

Striker Marcus Stewart said "The money goes back to the players for the Christmas night out or other end of season thing, whatever the lads want to use it for really."

Summerbee signs for Bradford

Sunderland narrowly missed the chance to put former winger Nicky Summerbee to test at Valley Parade last weekend - he's today signed for the Bantams in a two year deal.

And "Winterwasp" says he's looking forward to regular first team action again. "I'm happy to be playing football again and as soon as I'm fit, I know I can do something," he told Bradford's official website. "I've missed three pre-seasons out and need to get as many games as possible to get proper match fitness.

"I will play in the friendly at Middlesbrough on Friday then hopefully in the reserves next Tuesday and maybe get a place on the bench against Preston.

"I almost came here when I was at Sunderland but at the time I wanted to stay at the Stadium of Light - it's a bit strange that it's come round again!"

Bantams manager Nicky Law told the website how he sees Summerbee potentially fitting into the squad. "We've tried Andy Gray on the wing but he doesn't relish that position. Ben Muirhead has done well in spells but I just felt we needed someone with that experience.

Villan impressed with Sorensen, McCann

Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie has praised Thomas Sorensen and Gavin McCann for the positive impact they've had on the Villans since their move from Sunderland as David O'Leary's only purchases this summer.

Hendrie told Aston Villa's official website, "The gaffer keeps saying he’s got a couple of bargains and I can’t argue with him. There’s no doubt about it, they certainly improve the squad.

"Thomas is top-class and he commands his box. He had the mix-ups with Olof (Mellberg) in the Liverpool game, but that’s just him settling in and getting to know the players around him. I’m sure he’ll do well this season and I know everybody has been very impressed so far."

And of England midfielder McCann, Hendrie said "Gavin is first-class. He’s a grafter and he can play a bit as well. I know I’d sooner be on his side than against him!

"He’s looked good in every game so far. He was man-of-the-match at Portsmouth and possibly against Liverpool. And he was back to drive us on against Leicester.

"From what I’ve seen, Thomas and Gav are going to be big hits with the Villa fans."

Thornton injury forces RoI no-show

Sean Thornton has been forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland's U21 squad for their match against Russia this Friday.

Thornton is suffering from a knee ligament injury which, whilst not thought to be particularly serious, renders him unfit for match action.

Thomas Butler does, howver, feature in the squad, as do former Sunderland squad members Cliff Byrne and Stephen Capper, now at Scunthorpe and Scarborough respectively.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports on Friday, with a 6pm kick off.

McAteer back to full fitness

Sunderland skipper Jason McAteer will play his first match in a month tonight, appearing for the ressies when they travel to Altrincham to play Manchester United reserves.

McAteer has been out of action with a complication from the hamstring problems which saw him miss most of last season - he travelled to Bradford last Saturday but took no part in the action.

It's thought that former Sunderland player David Bellion will feature tonight for the Reds, whose reserve side is managed by Sunderland's former reserve team boss Ricky Sbragia.

Sunderland (from): Ingham, McLean, Ramsden, Scot, Babb, Collins, James, Black, McAteer, Dickman, Whitley, Brown, Proctor, Teggart, Reddy.

Reserves fixture rearranged

Sunderland AFC today confirmed that their forthcoming reserve fixture against Everton, originally scheduled for Wednesday 24th September, will now take place on Thursday 25th September.

The game will be played at Durham City FC, kick off 7:00pm.