SEAN THORNTON revealed how he is shaping up for the promotion push thanks to Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy

Thornton admitted it looked as though he might be shipped out of the Stadium of Light after falling out of favour earlier this season.

But after a quiet chat with the manager about his future and adapting his game to suit the rigors of the Championship, the talented midfielder finally fought his way back into McCarthy's promotion-seeking squad.

The 21-year-old has now featured in every Sunderland squad - with the exception of being suspended against Cardiff - since an eye- catching second half cameo at Preston on New Year's Day.

It's a remarkable run considering he had appeared in only seven of Sunderland's squads between August and December.

Thornton continued his rehabilitation on Friday evening, when he sacrificed his usual central midfield role for an unfamiliar one on the left in the Black Cats' convincing 2-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor.

"It has been an up and down season for me," said Thornton. "I was out of the team and the squad for a couple of months and it was really disappointing.

"A few things were going on behind the scenes but now I'm focused on playing and I'm working hard to get myself back in the team.

"It was frustrating for me. It wasn't me personally, it was stuff between the gaffer and my agent, but I don't want to say too much about that.

"I never wanted to leave because I believed I could play in this team. So I stuck at it and worked hard and it has paid off."

Thornton revealed that his manager has never had any problems with his game when he had the ball in his possession. It was when he didn't have it that was causing him the greatest concern.

"I always knew you had to do the ugly side of football like tackling and tracking back," said the Northern Ireland International.

"The night before the game against Burnley the manager said: 'I know you've got all the brilliance going forward, just make sure you do the ugly side of the game'.

"I'm now grateful I've got that in my locker because now I think I'm a better player.

"Sometimes you take things for granted and maybe some days you feel tired and don't train as hard, but every footballer is the same. And this is where the gaffer counts in training as well and he has brought out the best in me.

"Everybody loves attacking, going forward and scoring goals and most footballers will tell you they don't like tracking back. But now it just comes naturally to me and I don't even need to think about it."

Last month Sunderland took part in SoccerAm's Crossbar Challenge and the midfielder - who, like his team-mates, missed by the proverbial mile - introduced himself as Sean (Slim Shady) Thornton.

Although he is an Eminem fan, his new nickname wasn't altogether down to his love of the controversial rap star's music, or the fact he had bleached his hair.

"I've never really said anything about this before but I've lost a stone since August after the gaffer told me I had to lose a few pounds," he confessed. "I'm pleased and I'm feeling the benefits now. I am eating a bit better but I think it's down to putting in more work on the training pitch and in the gym.

"The lads got to hear about what the gaffer said and the nickname has just stuck. "I do love Eminem though."

Thornton still has two years left on his contract and he admitted he would love to follow in Dean Whitehead's footsteps and sign an extension.

He said: "I would love to stay and win things for the club. We have a great chance of winning the league. We can see the finish line and it would be a great achievement for the club, the fans and the players."

* Owner David Whelan turned his focus back to Wigan's Barclays Premiership promotion push after reaching a compromise with Greater Manchester Police to allow games to go ahead at the JJB Stadium for the remainder of the season.