Quinn happy to maintain coaching role

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is hoping he still has a role on the coaching staff at the Stadium of Light under the new management…

Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is hoping he still has a role on the coaching staff at the Stadium of Light under the new management duo of Howard Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill.

The veteran Republic of Ireland striker, who quit the international scene after the World Cup finals, has yet to start a match this season and was drafted onto the coaching staff by former boss Peter Reid.

And while Wilkinson has intimated that there is still a job for the 36-year-old as a player, Quinn claims he has not had a chance to find out where he stands off the pitch.

"I haven't really spoken to Howard at length about what my role will be," said Quinn.

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"We had a good training session last Friday and Howard has said that his main focus is on beating West Ham on Saturday, a game that we will work our socks off preparing for.

"I will speak to him again in the next few days and see then where I fit within his equation."

Meanwhile, Wilkinson has disclosed that he has made contact with Reid to wish him well but not to pick his brains about the squad he inherited.

"I spoke to Peter on Sunday to send him my best wishes," said Wilkinson. "I brought him into the England set-up when I was at the Football Association, so it is quite ironic that I've now taken over his job.

"I didn't pick his brains about the squad, though, because firstly I thought that would be insensitive given the fact that he has just lost his job."