David Vaughan admits missing pre-season could cost him his spot in the Sunderland team this year.
The Wales international managed 90 minutes of football for the first time since his hernia operation in the Black Cats under 21s 2-2 draw at the Sports Direct Arena.
Vaughan now faces a tough task to convince manager, Martin O’Neill to give him a chance ahead of the effective Lee Cattermole – Jack Colback central midfield partnership.
In an interview the Shields Gazette the 29 year old said, “Pre-season was very frustrating for me. It was tough to have an operation at that time, but I’ve just got back into it now.
“It is tough when you miss pre-season. You come back, and the rest of the players are much further ahead fitness-wise. You’re playing catch-up down the whole time, so you know it’s going to be a tough couple of months down the line before you’re at the same level.
“There’s obvouisly quite a few central midfielders at the club and we’ve all got different attributes. But hopefully I can get a chance and hold my place in the team.”