Former Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson hopes Sunderland can land some big names.

"I wasn't really bothered about where Sunderland was," the Londoner, who moved to Manchester from West Ham as a teenager, told the Northern Echo. "It's obvious that it is far away from home for me but I know Sunderland is a great place, the fans are great up here. Everyone loves their football and I want to be part of that.

"It's strange that it's been difficult to get the big names here. If you look around the stadium and the facilities, you consider the great fans and a fantastic big-time manager, it is really strange. But I'm sure that in the future we will attract more players. If we do well in the Premiership then I'm sure they'll come.

"I understand Sunderland have been able to get into the Premiership over the years but have gone back down. Some players may look at that and think they don't want to be a part of that.

"But I'm a positive thinker and there's no way I was thinking about relegation. I have come here wanting to contribute to this team and I hope we can do well next season."