Sunderland centre-half Anton Ferdinand has defended the circumstances which led to his departure from West Ham United in August.

He said: "Saying I rejected a contract was never the case - as soon as Sunderland put in an offer, they accepted it and West Ham withdrew the contract.

"The fans will have a special place in my heart because I used to sit in the stands with them watching Rio. I was one of them."

Ferdy cannot let sentiment today get in the way with the Black Cats three points off the drop zone.

He said: "Sunderland is a new chapter in my life. And I'm giving everything to Sunderland - that's the way it is."