Stokes set for Black Cats switch
By Andrew Scurr -  Created on 4 Aug 2006

Highly-rated Arsenal teenager Anthony Stokes looks set to join Sunderland
on a season-long loan deal.

The 18-year-old is being allowed to go out on loan to gain first-team
experience in a lower league and is training with The Black Cats in a
bid to win a move to the Stadium of Light.

Stokes, who can play either as a striker or attacking midfielder, has
spent the last week on trial in the North East and has impressed a watching
Niall Quinn (pictured).

The Dubliner is being hotly tipped for a big future in the game after huge
interest in his services before he opted to join Arsenal in 2004.

Stokes made his first-team debut in the Carling Cup against Sunderland
last season and Quinn is excited by his likely arrival at the club.

"He's a young kid who left Ireland in a blaze of glory as a young teenager,"
Quinn told the club's official website.

"A lot of clubs wanted him, he chose Arsenal and it has come to a point
where Arsene Wenger is glad to let him come out and get some experience.

"We've wanted to have a look at him for a week before we committed but
we've been impressed."