Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead has dismissed claims he wants to leave the Stadium of Light after reports suggested he was set to join Stoke.

Whitehead was rumoured to be seeking a move away this summer following a bust-up with Roy Keane, but the 26-year-old insists he has no plans to quit the Black Cats as he prepares to return for pre-season training.

He told the club's official website: "It's exciting times for the club and I want to be a part of it.

"I have been here four years now, I have seen a few ups and downs, but securing top-flight status was a huge thing for us last season and I can't wait to tackle it again this year.

"The gaffer is planning to bring in some new players and that will only benefit the club and me as a player.

"It will create more competition for places and will improve the overall quality of the squad when we sometimes lacked it last season, so it should enable the club to move on to the next level.

"I certainly want to be a part of that and I am looking forward to the challenge of staying in the team."

Whitehead, a £325,000 signing from home town club Oxford in August 2004, missed much of the first half of last season after damaging knee ligaments during the first week of the campaign.

He returned in November and played in the last 26 games, alternating between his specialist central midfield berth and the problem right-back spot before Phil Bardsley's January arrival from Manchester United.

Whitehead is one of few survivors from the side which suffered relegation from the Premier League with a record low 15 points at the end of the 2005-06 season.

He played a leading role in their return to the top flight but is believed to be on a list of players that Keane would be willing to sell this summer.

A move to Reading had been muted as part of a deal that would see Stephen Hunt join the Black Cats while Stoke has also been touted as a possible destination for Whitehead, although his agent has since played down this speculation.

Meanwhile, there was no word from the Stadium of Light on speculation that they are maintaining an interest in Tottenham's £16.5million striker Darren Bent.

There is little doubt a frontman with a proven track record in the top flight will be among Keane's targets this summer, especially with Kenwyne Jones recovering from knee ligament damage suffered in Trinidad and Tobago's friendly clash with England earlier this month.

Keane has vowed to recruit experienced Premier League players this summer as he attempts to avoid a second successive fight for survival.

Team Talk / Eurosport