Murphy to fight for Sunderland place

Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy is happy to fight for his place on Wearside but admits his future is up in the air.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light during the January transfer window with Coca-Cola Championship strugglers QPR said to be hot on his trail.

Murphy contributed the nerve-settling third goal to his side's priceless 3-1 win over Bolton on Saturday after coming off the bench.

He later revealed he wants to stay at the club, but knows his situation could change over the next few weeks.

Asked if he is looking for a move away, Murphy said: "Not at all. I'm a Sunderland player and I have got a good few years on my contract here.  But we will have to wait and see. Right now, I just want to enjoy the goal and a big win for the team."

Murphy was signed by former boss Mick McCarthy from Waterford for £125,000 in June 2005 and later handed a long-term contract which ties him to the club until 2011.

He has started six Barclays Premier League games this season and appeared in as many more as a substitute.

However, he has been played as a wide midfielder at times and Saturday's injury-time strike was his first goal of the season.

Manager Roy Keane is intent on strengthening his squad in terms both of quality and experience during the transfer window.

The club were not commenting on reports today that Reading have rejected a £2.5million bid from the Black Cats for midfielder Stephen Hunt, while Blackburn's Robbie Savage is also understood to be a serious target.

But while arrivals rather than departures are his main focus, even a club with a kitty of around £20million to spend have to balance the books and the traffic is unlikely to be one way.

In the meantime, Keane, Murphy and the rest of the playing and coaching staff at the Stadium of Light will concentrate on Wednesday night's tough trip to Blackburn and the business of staying out of the relegation zone.

The win over Bolton lifted them into 17th place as Wigan slipped back into the drop zone, and spirits which had been dented by a 4-0 home defeat by Manchester United on St Stephen's Day were raised once again.

It was far from straightforward, however, as Sunderland allowed Wanderers back into the game after racing into a 2-0 lead.

Murphy said: "We have got to learn how to kill teams off. We were 2-0 up and cruising really, but conceded a bad goal and Bolton put us under a lot of pressure. We did not really do ourselves any favours in the second half.

"It was always going to be a battle and there were spells in the second half when it was 100mph.

"It would have been nice if the third goal had come sooner, but I am pleased we got it and delighted I am playing a part. Obviously, I would like a run of games, but that is down to the manager."