Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead insists his future is on Wearside.

The Scouser said: "I don't want to leave and I haven't been told anything that would make me think I would be leaving. It's all rubbish and rumours.

"People ring you up and say 'You've been linked here and there' but unless it comes from the manager you learn to just block it out.

"The manager hasn't said much to me really. The way it is at Sunderland you just do your talking on the pitch and you get in the starting eleven."