Ross Stewart is hoping he'll be able to play a big part in Sunderland's festive fixtures after overcoming injury problems. The Scottish international scored his sixth goal in eight games for the Black Cats - including a strike just moments into his return on the road art Hull City after three-and-a-half months out.
Stewart, who is in the final few months of his deal on Wearside, has made the step up to the Championship seem a walk in the park despite it being the highest level he's played at. The club of course have the option to extend his deal into next season, which will come in handy given the interest in the 26-year-old.
Sunderland's mid-season slump before the World Cup break coincided with Stewart's injury and Tony Mowbray will be hoping to keep up the pace with the promotion chasing pack. The Scot was give half an hour as he continues his return to fitness, grabbing the opening goal at the MKM Stadium last weekend.
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"It’s been a tough period when you are out that long” Stewart told SAFC.com. “You get a couple of setbacks and it is really frustrating.
“But that is me back now. I know the work that I have put in behind the scenes and that came to show. I was able to grab the goal and I can look forward now. Look to get back involved more and help this team. It’s never nice missing as much as I did but we put that behind myself now and I look forward.”
The Black Cats will now play three games in six days as part of the festive fixtures but Mowbray has already spoken about needing to ease the Scot back into action. Stewart is hopeful he'll be able to step up his return to action over the festive period.
He added: “It’s tough because you can’t prepare yourself for the match sharpness other than playing games so it was good to get as long as I got. Hopefully there is games to come.
"It’s busy over the Christmas period. I’ll continue to look after myself and hopefully I can continue to help this team. We’ve got a tough game against Blackburn but being at home, we want to be better with our home form. We’re expecting a big crowd but we’ll prepare right.”
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