Anton Ferdinand has issued Sunderland an upbeat fitness bulletin ahead of this weekend's game against Wigan.
Black Cats new boy craves first start
Anton Ferdinand has issued Sunderland an upbeat fitness bulletin ahead of this weekend's game against Wigan.
The club's £8million signing from West Ham arrived in the North East with a slight hamstring complaint, but having played an hour for the club's reserves on Tuesday he is now raring to go.
Manager Roy Keane was in attendance as Sunderland's second string cruised to a 4-0 win over Hartlepool and after the game Ferdinand pleaded to be handed a start at The JJB.
"I enjoyed the game. It all went to plan," Ferdinand told the
Sunderland Echo.
"My hamstring felt fine and that was what it was all about.
"I think it was a useful workout - I got a little bit of a game under my belt and although it wasn't a first-team game, it was nice to put on a Sunderland shirt and get out there.
"It was a good workout, good to get out playing again and I enjoyed every minute of it.
All good
"I hadn't played for almost a month so every minute is good.
"If the manager asks me, then yeah, I'm ready for the Premier League again - I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.
"I feel fine, the hamstring feels fine, the lungs feel fine and I feel good enough to be involved on Saturday."
Ferdinand says he has enjoyed settling in at his new club and has loved every minute since his Stadium of Light switch.
"I've enjoyed every minute since I've been here - training and being up here - and it helped that I knew a few of the lads from before," he added.
"I've been made to feel really welcome and now I just can't wait to get on with it. There's nothing like a first-team game to make you feel like you belong."
