| SUNDERLAND STAYS UP.. JONES SOLDIERS ON IN WIN |
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Roy Keane believes Dwight Yorke's absence from the Sunderland side lately has contributed to their slump.
The Black Cats had won three in a row, but two straight defeats have left them with work to do to avoid the drop.
But Sunderland made sure of a stay up for next season with a hardfought 3-2 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday. Carlos Edwards played for 60 minutes while Kenwyne Jones was a workhorse throughout, forcing himself back on the field after going off for treatment for a head cut.
Yorke has missed the last month with a knee injury and Keane believes his troops' lack of experience has shown.
"He has been a loss in terms of experience," explained Keane, in a SkySports report
"He's won the Championships and played in World Cups finals - and not many in our dressing room have done that."
England's new rugby union team manager Martin Johnson gave The Black Cats a motivational speech earlier this year and Keane was impressed with what he had to say.
"Martin did not have any magic wand - he just led by example," Keane continued.
"It's not always about punching people. I'm talking about tough situations like World Cup finals, keeping your head with five minutes to go.
"That is why you need a good captain, it is vital. We have those leadership qualities, especially Dwight Yorke."
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