Sunderland midfielder Dwight Yorke staked his claim for a return to the first team by playing more than 80 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday night.

The 36-year-old, who damaged a calf muscle during the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Birmingham on January 29, was part of an inexperienced second-string team that went down 1-0 to Liverpool at Wigan.

Roy Keane's side have no game this weekend following their third-round exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Wigan, over whom they gained revenge with a 2-0 league win at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

They resume at Portsmouth on February 23, where Yorke will hope to figure as the Black Cats attempt to take another step towards top-flight safety.

There were 90-minute run-outs on Tuesday night for full-back Ian Harte and striker Anthony Stokes, although not for Andy Reid, Grant Leadbitter, Kieran Richardson, Carlos Edwards or Danny Higginbotham.

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