Schwarz: Determined (CliveBrunskill/Allsport)

Schwarz was one of eight players told they could leave the Stadium of Light at the end of last season - and claims that he only heard the news from a radio report.

But the 33-year-old former Arsenal player says there are 'no hard feelings' and that he is determined to force a change of heart from manager Peter Reid.

He said: 'Even when it was announced I would be on the transfer list, I expected I would still be coming back for another season because I love the club and I love the supporters.

'I'll try to show the gaffer that I have some qualities if he wants them and I'll be available for the team.

'I don't think it's a surprise I was put in the transfer list. If you look at it from a business point of view, I'm in my final year under contract and the club wants to get some money back for me.

'I heard the news by radio, not from the club, but it was no surprise for me and there are no hard feelings at all.

'I hadn't been involved that much since October-November and, to be honest, I expected to be on the transfer list.'

Schwarz had previously been linked with a return to former club Benfica but is now hoping to make his mark once again to play a part as the Black Cats look to improve on last season's showing.

'I think everyone at the club and all the supporters deserve better than last season and it's up to us to get the results,' he told the Sunderland Echo.

'If you see how the season went, it wasn't one of the better seasons we have had, and I would have liked to have been involved more to try to help the team.