Sunderland AFC news: Niall Quinn backs David Moyes, Jan Kirchhoff returns, Micah Richards linked

Ex-Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has backed David Moyes to finally bring some stability to the Stadium of Light.
Niall QuinnNiall Quinn
Niall Quinn

Moyes took charge of his first Sunderland game last night, as the Black Cats triumphed 2-0 against Swiss Third Division side FC Stade Nyonnais, after succeeding Sam Allardyce at the helm last weekend.

The ex-Manchester United boss is Sunderland's seventh manager in the space of five years, but Quinn believes he is the right man to build on the foundations laid by Allardyce's brief nine-month reign.

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"He can really take it on from where Sam had it," Quinn told Sky Sports.

"He signed a four-year deal which is really good news, that smacks of stability, which we haven't been able to say about Sunderland for quite some time.

"I believe what he possesses and his desire to get back as being renowned as a top manager - I think the mix is really good."

Moyes took charge of his first full training session today, with Jan Kirchhoff - who is yet to feature during pre-season - participating, along with John O'Shea and Seb Larsson, who were both given extra time off this summer after their Euro 2016 participation.

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But Moyes still needs more strength in depth to his squad, with Sunderland continuing to be linked with a £5million move for Aston Villa defender Micah Richards.

Richards has a release clause in his contract after Villa's relegation and was a Sunderland target two years ago during Gus Poyet's tenure.

Sunderland's right-back department will be further depleted with flop signing Adam Matthews understood to be on the verge of leaving the club.