Rumours rife as Sunderland players dropped

Mar 16 2008 by John Scott, Sunday Sun

UNDER-PRESSURE Sunderland manager Roy Keane last night strenuously denied dropping three key players for disciplinary reasons.

The Black Cats boss rubbished rumours that Michael Chopra, Kieron Richardson and Daryl Murphy — who was 25 yesterday — had been left out yesterday’s clash with Premiership high-flyers Chelsea as a punishment.

Sunderland lost the home game 1-0 . . . a result that saw them plummet dangerously close to the relegation zone.

During a post-match interview broadcast by Radio 5 Live, Keane is reported to have insisted the decision not to feature the players had not been in response to a disciplinary matter.

However, the rumour mill had already gone into overdrive, with their exclusion from the squad sparking speculation on fans’ websites. Last night, one source — who did not want to be named — said: “In my view, the decision to leave those three players out of the squad was nothing short of suicidal.

“Several people have heard the same rumour about why they were dropped and, while Roy Keane has denied it had anything to do with discipline, my own feeling is that there’s no smoke without fire.”

He added: “Keane likes to rotate players whenever possible but, as a result of this decision, I’d say we ended up fielding the weakest side possible.

“Richardson is one of our best players . . . he brings a spark of creativity to midfield.

“Murphy had a poor game last week but is generally a very good performer and, while Chopra hasn’t been scoring of late, he does tend to get himself involved in the game.

“It just doesn’t make sense to drop all three of them at such a crucial time. I’m pretty sure something has gone on that Keane isn’t happy about . . . but I suspect he wants to keep it in the dressing room.”

According to the message board on the Black Cats Love Supreme web page, soccer pundit and former Leicester striker Steve Claridge also alluded to the allegations on the TV channel Setanta.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s executive director of football Dennis Wise is rumoured to have missed his team’s 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool last Saturday . . . because he was at the theatre.

According to reports, Wise — who picks up a £1.5m-a-year salary at St James’s — was instead enjoying a family trip to the matinee performance of The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, near London’s Covent Garden.

The Toon’s quest for a win under beleaguered boss Kevin Keegan continues at Birmingham tomorrow.

No one at the club was available for comment.