Healy keen to stay at Sunderland

Healy has struggled for first-team action at Sunderland

Sunderland striker David Healy has re-iterated his desire to remain with the club and fight for a first-team place.

The Northern Ireland international has been linked with a move after struggling to hold down a regular place but denies his wants to quit the club.

"I'm pleased to be here and I've made it clear that I see my future here," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I know as a player that if you're performing well at Sunderland the fans will give you huge backing."

Healy has also expressed his concerns surrounding his international future with Northern Ireland.

He has been a regular so far due to his exceptional strike rate of 35 goals in 70 appearances at international level.

But with a number of Northern Irish strikers showing good form, manager Nigel Worthington has warned Healy he must be playing regular football to guarantee himself a place, and Healy himself knows his selection is no longer a certainty.

"I know some of the other lads who are challenging are scoring a lot of goals and impressing and doing well," he said.

"You've got Martin Paterson, he's got 14 goals for Burnley, Kyle Lafferty at Rangers, Warren Feeney scored against Rangers and Celtic for Dundee United - they're all playing games.

"There's no nailed on certainties for a team unless you're Ronaldo, Kaka or Messi, if you're not playing games your place is under threat.

"I've been number nine for Northern Ireland now for the last nine years, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be there for the next four or five games unless I'm playing regular football.

"If you're not playing then you can be seen to impress your international manager, and that's something that worries him [Worthington] slightly."