Yorke retires from internationals to help Sunderland

LONDON, Mar 8 (Reuters) Striker Dwight Yorke has retired from international football with Trinidad&Tobago to focus on Sunderland's bid to win promotion to the Premier League.

Yorke, a member of Manchester United's treble-winning side in 1999, captained the Soca Warriors to their first World Cup appearance last year in Germany and scored 26 goals in 59 official games for his country.

The 35-year-old moved to Sunderland in August, linking up with former United team mate and current Black Cats manager Roy Keane, whose club lie fourth in the second division.

''It has been a great personal and professional honour to play and captain Trinidad&Tobago over the years and I hope that I have contributed to the success of the team over that time,'' Yorke said in a statement today.

''I believe the time is now right for me to concentrate on my career at Sunderland and hopefully win promotion to the Premiership.'' REUTERS PDS BST1712