YOUNG striker Chris Brown wants to add a Championship goal to a growing number of first team appearances for Sunderland.

The teenager turns 20 in the middle of December and would love to have his name on the scoresheet before that time as a sign that his career is really beginning to take off on Wearside.

Despite grabbing two goals in Sunderland's Carling Cup first round tie at Crewe in September - his first game of the season - he has been unable to build on that tally.

Brown has only made three starts for Mick McCarthy in the league but has come off the bench on seven occasions, the latest of which was at Leicester on Saturday when he entered the fray ahead of Michael Bridges.

And now Brown, looking to play some part against Ipswich on Sunday, hopes to repay the manager's faith in him by finding his feet in front of goal on a regular basis.

"I want to try to be involved in as many games as I can. Ideally it would be nice to start but I want match experience at the moment," said Brown.

"I want a goal first and foremost. I'm sure that will come and I'm not too concerned. I hit the bar on Saturday at Leicester and on another day it would have gone in."

Brown spent the best part of the last campaign on loan at hometown club Doncaster Rovers and his form in front of goal - scoring ten in 17 starts - helped the club to promotion from League Two.

And the tall striker believes his temporary switch to the Earth Stadium was beneficial to his progress and has helped to prepare him for the rigours of the Football League.

"After coming back from Doncaster my aim was to be involved as much as I could for the first team," said Brown, who is battling with Bridges, Stephen Elliott and Marcus Stewart for a place up front.

"The manager told me after Doncaster that he wanted me to be a part of his plans. And that it was up to me to start and force my way into the equation.

"To play some games at Doncaster meant a lot to me. Getting three points rather than playing for the reserves is something special. It was a great experience.

"Now there is competition at Sunderland and it's always good and to have the likes of Michael, who is a legend here, in the squad. He is going to benefit Sunderland in the long run."

Midfielder Carl Robinson is out until Christmas after undergoing surgery on his nose on Monday.

Robinson has been playing for the Black Cats even though he broke his nose at Millwall last month. He had hoped to put the operation off until the summer but breathing problems have forced him to get the problem rectified.

Meanwhile, Steve Caldwell has joined up with the Scotland squad ahead of tonight's friendly with Sweden.

The Sunderland defender was initially only listed on stand-by by caretaker boss Tommy Burns but following a number of withdrawals he has now been drafted in.

Caldwell trained with his club side yesterday before travelling up to Edinburgh.

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