KEVIN KYLE has been assured he has a big future under new Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson. The Scotland striker scored his first senior goal for Sunderland in their 3-2 Worthington Cup win against Arsenal last Wednesday night.
However, he remains well down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light, behind Kevin Phillips, Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart.
He's been linked with a loan move to Ipswich Town with Joe Royle wanting the lanky hitman.
However, Wilkinson has moved quickly to tell Kyle he rates him highly.
He said: ''When I arrived Kevin was very pessimistic about his prospects here.
''But he did very well against a decent Arsenal defence and showed what a handful he is.
''He is definitely in my plans and I have told him that.''
The 21-year-old ace has previously had loan spells with Huddersfield, Darlington and Rochdale.
Kyle has recently earned six caps for Scotland.
