Will Grigg admits staying fit at Sunderland has been 'difficult' and he can't remember the last time he was 100% going into a game.
The 27-year-old was nursing an ankle injury when he completed his league-record move to the Stadium of Light on deadline day and pulled out of international duty last month with the same issue.
Jack Ross has been keen not to push Grigg too much in training, given the shortage of fit strikers at the club, and the priority has been ensuring he can start games.
Grigg has completed a full 90 minutes in just one of the Black Cats' last five matches but the Northern Ireland international is preparing to push through the pain barrier as the season reaches its climax.
“It’s alright. Obviously, it has been difficult in terms of the ankle and a few bits and bobs here and there," he said while speaking at the club's #fireupourcity event at Peterlee Fire Station.
"I came injured, got over it and now it’s a bit of a re-occurring thing. I’m doing my best to manage myself on and off the pitch and doing everything I can to make sure I’m fit and ready to play. There’s only five games left so it’s about everybody digging in at the moment for that final push.”
Grigg has scored five goals since joining from Wigan and got on the scoresheet during that crazy 5-4 defeat to Coventry at the Stadium of Light last week.
With a game in hand on Barnsley, Sunderland currently lie two points off the automatic promotion places and Grigg is ensuring he does all he can to get his side over the line.
“I can’t remember the last time I was 100% going into a game, but I’m sure every professional footballer would say that," he added.
"I’m not going to say that I’m battling through injuries or stuff like that, because if I was injured I wouldn’t be playing. I’m fit, and I’m doing everything I can to get out there and deliver the performances that I know I’m capable of.”
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