The £6million man enjoyed a fine first season at the Stadium of Light, but finished it with only seven goals to his name.

However, captain Dean Whitehead has revealed the Trinidad and Tobago international will succeed him as penalty-taker when the season begins.

"Kenwyne's on penalties now. We had a bit of a discussion among the lads as to who should be the club's long-term penalty-taker, and he fancied it," Whitehead said.

talk about

He added: "I have taken them previously and it's a big responsibility - I have scored a few and I have missed a few.

"I would have been happy to continue taking them if no-one else was prepared to, but as I say, we had a talk about it."

Sunderland are yet to confirm the extent of the knee injury Jones suffered on international duty in the friendly encounter with England earlier this month.

The striker sustained ligament damage in a collision with Portsmouth keeper David James and headed back to Wearside for the club's medics to assess it.