Loan signing Kevin Cooper from Boro has revealed that he can't wait to pull on a red 'n' white shirt for his mum. His mum and his family are Sunderland Supporters and have waited 20 years to see him play for the Mackems.
He had this to say "A lot of my family are Sunderland fans and my mum especially is looking forward to see me play in a red and white shirt. My best mate has been waiting 20 years to see me play for them!
"I was playing regularly at Middlesbrough until the turn of the year and then big Ugo Ehiogu came back from injury and I was left out of the side.
"I wasn't happy with it but I've learnt from my time in the game that there's no point in complaining and banging on doors, but I must admit the season went a bit flat after that."
"It's a challenge for me to try to get in the team here because, with all due respect, I think I wouldn't get in the team at Middlesbrough - unless there were one or two injuries.
"It's the same at Sunderland but at least it's a fresh challenge and I know that I can go out and have a buzz in training.
"I thought the lads did well against West Ham. We've got a solid back four; a good goalkeeper and with Jeff Whitley and Paul Thirlwell in front of them, you have a solid unit."