Diouf wants Black Cats talks

Diouf: Wants to play

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El Hadji Diouf is planning talks with Ricky Sbragia to discuss whether he has a future at Sunderland.

The Senegal ace has barely featured since Sbragia replaced Roy Keane as boss and is worried he is not part of the new manager's plans.

Diouf started Saturday's FA Cup third round win over former club Bolton Wanderers, but that was his first appearance in a month.

He has been linked with a reunion with Sam Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers and admits he could leave Sunderland, if he is not going to play regularly.

Honest

"I need a proper chat with Ricky to find out what his plans are for me," Diouf, who joined Sunderland six months ago, told reporters. "I don't know how important he thinks I am.

"I am just waiting to see what happens. I have already had a brief chat with him, but I want a longer conversation.

"I was very happy to play against my old team and the fact we won obviously made it much better. But I need to see what Ricky imagines me doing in the second half of the season.

"The bottom line is that I want to play and I have only been playing a little bit in recent weeks.

"I know Ricky very well because we worked together at Bolton and that's why I'm very honest with him and can tell him exactly what I want.

"Hopefully, he feels exactly the same and will tell me whether he needs me or not. I don't know what will happen, but if I'm picked for more games why shouldn't I stay?

"Certainly I have no regrets joining Sunderland and I want to be successful here. But if I am not playing and don't feel needed, I would want to go."