Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards eclipsed compatriot Stern John to steer Sunderland's promotion bid back on track at the expense of Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Coventry.

The Trinidad & Tobago trio have been recruited to bolster Sunderland's promotion bid, but while John struggled to make an impact on his debut, Yorke and Edwards prospered.

Yorke planted a firm close-range header past Sky Blues goalkeeper Luke Steele in the 19th minute and Edwards added the coup de grace with a stunning strike from 25 yards in the closing stages.

Striker John was recruited earlier this week from Coventry for an undisclosed fee to become the Black Cats' sixth signing of the January transfer window.

He was paired in attack with Daryl Murphy, yet it was the visitors who created the first clear opening in the second minute.

Kevin Thornton slipped a neat pass through to Leon McKenzie who sprung the offside trap and found himself completely unmarked inside Sunderland's 18-yard box.

He hesitated, however, and his left-foot shot was not powerful enough to trouble Darren Ward.

Coventry caretaker manager Adrian Heath held his head in his hands and his mood hardly improved as the half wore on.

Grant Leadbitter's swift pass to John gave the new man an opportunity to turn and shoot but he also dithered and the visitors cleared the danger.

Murphy then fired straight into Steele's midriff after being released down the right flank but in the 19th minute Sunderland were ahead.

A cynical foul by Coventry left-back Andrew Whing on Dean Whitehead gave the Black Cats a free-kick on the right which was played deep to the far post.

The visitors attempted to clear their lines but the ball was hooked back into the six-yard box where Yorke rose highest to head the ball past Steele.

Coventry proceeded to create a steady stream of half-chances and it took a fine save from Ward to turn away Michael Mifsud's low piledriver.

The visitors were then dealt a blow when Thornton sustained an injury and was carried off on a stretcher 10 minutes before the break.

John was given a chance to silence the taunts from the travelling supporters on the stroke of half-time but his low 14-yard strike failed to hit the target.

McNamee hit the bar within seconds of the restart and Yorke then wasted a gilt-edged chance to double Sunderland's tally when he blazed carelessly over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Coventry kept plugging away and Edwards, who signed from Luton last month, provided a flash of inspiration to seal the points.

The tricky winger collected possession 25 yards from goal and struck a fierce shot from the right side of the penalty area which flew past Steele and into the top corner.

It was his second goal in three games and Keane will hope John proves as potent in front of goal in the coming weeks.

Teams:

Sunderland Ward, Whitehead, Nosworthy, Varga, Collins,Edwards, Leadbitter (Simpson 72), Yorke, Wallace (Hysen 61),John, Murphy (Stokes 60).

Subs Not Used: Clarke, Fulop.

Booked: Leadbitter.

Goals: Yorke 19, Edwards 84.

Coventry Steele, Whing, Hall (Virgo 46), Hawkins, McNamee,Doyle, Thornton (Tabb 35), Hughes, McKenzie, Kyle,Mifsud (Adebola 81).

Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, Birchall.

Booked: Whing.

Att: 33,591

Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).