Caribbean Net News: Yorke named Trinidad and Tobago's player of the year

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has been named Trinidad and Tobago's 2006 Player of the Year for the second successive year.

Yorke, who also played in Australia for Sydney Football Club, before returning to England to play under former teammate Roy Keane at Sunderland, played a major role in the Soca Warriors' success in qualifying for the World Cup for the first time.

Known for his energetic work in front of the goal, where he was a handful for any defender in the Premiership, Yorke adjusted to playing a more defensive role at the World Cup in Germany last summer, and was rewarded for his efforts.

He was chosen by FIFA as the best defensive player in the group stage, the round in which Trinidad was knocked out of the tournament.

Yorke scored scored 47 goals for Manchester United during his four seasons at Old Trafford, with his best coming in the 1999-2000 campaign where he scored 20 times. He is currently helping Keane in his quest to push Sunderland back into the top flight and he is optimistic his former teammate can deliver as a manager.

Keane inherited the worst team in the history of the Premiership, but Yorke believes the Irishman can "get the club moving back in the right direction".

"I spoke to the gaffer about the situation before I came here. It's not easy to turn things round, and I'm sure it will continue to be difficult," Yorke said.

"But the gaffer was convinced that he could get the club moving back in the right direction - and he's done that."

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