Murphy scored his first goal of the season – and the second top-flight goal of his career – to settle nerves at the end of Saturday's vital 3-1 home win over Bolton.

The Republic of Ireland international striker sparked huge celebrations at the Stadium of Light after his injury-time goal followed a nervy second half.

Queens Park Rangers are said to be closing in on a deal to take the 24-year-old to London.

But asked if he desires a move, he insisted: "Not at all. I'm a Sunderland player and I've got a good few years on my contract here.

"But we'll have to wait and see. Right now, I just want to enjoy the goal and a big win for the team."

Murphy, a £125,000 signing from Irish club Waterford in June 2005 and under contract until 2011, has had a dozen Premier League appearances this season, half of them starts.

He was a 57th-minute sub against Bolton on Saturday in a game Sunderland looked in charge of – leading 2-0 just after the half-hour through goals from Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones ­before El Hadji Diouf got one back four minutes from the break.

"We've got to learn how to kill teams off," said Murphy. "We were 2-0 up and cruising really, but conceded a bad goal and Bolton put us under a lot of pressure.

"We didn't really do ourselves any favours in the second-half. It was always going to be a battle and there were spells in the second-half when it was 100 miles an hour.

"It would have been nice if the third goal had come sooner, but I'm pleased we got it and delighted I'm playing a part.

"Obviously, I'd like a run of games, but that is down to the manager."

Victory lifted the Black Cats out of the relegation places going into 2008 and ahead of Wednesday's trip to Blackburn – who claimed only their second win in 11 by defeating Derby 2-1 yesterday.

Murphy added: "It was a massive game for us and a big lift going to Blackburn.

"We were disappointed to lose 4-0 to Man United on Boxing Day, but we were always looking at the Bolton game as a must-win because we need to beat teams that are around us. It has done us the world of good."