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Fri, Mar

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Stern John believes he can be the final piece in the jigsaw as Sunderland try to get back in the Premiership.


John joined the Black Cats yesterday, becoming Roy Keane's sixth signing since the transfer window opened on January 1.

The Trinidad and Tobago striker, Coventry's top scorer this season with six goals, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

And he hopes to chip in with some goals as Sunderland look to catch the Championship's leaders.

John said: "Hopefully I can get a few goals for Sunderland. It's a fantastic move for me, a new start at a massive club and a new opportunity to show what I can do.

"There has been steady improvement here from the beginning of the season until now; the manager has brought in new players who know about this league and who are winners.

"My strong points are holding up the ball and bringing other players into play. I can score goals and my work ethic is good so hopefully I can help Sunderland march up the table."

John, 30, has revealed that the move to Sunderland was unexpected.

He said: "It came out of the blue, really. Roy Keane has watched me play this season and he saw me last Monday on the telly when we [Coventry] played Plymouth.

"I got the call the following day and it went from there. When Roy Keane rings you up you are flattered.

"You want to emulate someone who has done so well in the game. Roy Keane was a great player but he was also hard-working and he expects the same from his players now he is a manager. I will give him that.

"He has brought me here and I want to repay him by banging in the goals. I'm fit and ready to play if asked."

John sought advice from Adrian Heath, the former Sunderland coach now caretaker-manager at Coventry, before completing the move.

"Adrian told me it would be a great opportunity for me as player," said the striker.

Keane added: "We'll need a bit more of a physical presence in the attacking third and Stern will give us that, it's an area I've been looking at.

"Stern seems ready for the challenge and that's just what I want to hear from a player."