following sunderland's promotion to the premiership in the 2004-05, piper was included in sunderland's squad for the pre-season tour of usa and canada, playing in two friendlies against american opposition. piper made just one start against cheltenham town in the league cup. this was to be piper's final appearance for sunderland, and his contract was terminated by mutual consent in january 2006 following an unsuccessful trial with coventry city. he had made just 29 appearances, including 15 starts, in three and a half years at sunderland.