DEAN Whitehead will kick off pre-season training today after spelling out his desire to win a place in the Sunderland first team.

The 22-year-old will join up with his new teammates for the first time since moving from Coca-Cola League Two side Oxford last month.

Whitehead made more than 130 appearances at the Kassam Stadium after making his senior debut against Luton in December 1999.

But, while he was guaranteed his place in the Oxford line-up, he will have to battle for a first-team spot at the Stadium of Light.

Jason McAteer and Paul Thirlwell might have left at the end of last season, but Whitehead will still be competing with Carl Robinson, Jeff Whitley, Sean Thornton, Colin Healy and Liam Lawrence for a central role.

The midfielder accepts he faces a fight for his place, but is determined to make his presence felt.

"My only aim is to get into the squad and establish myself," said Whitehead.

"Hopefully I will be able to force my way into the team fairly early on. The ultimate aim is to be part of a side which wins promotion to the Premiership - that is my big dream. The start of the season can't come quickly enough for me now. I can't wait. This will be a massive season for me, a very important season.

"I'm aware that this is a massive step up for me. It's a big challenge, but it's one I'm relishing and one I'm not afraid of.

"I had been at Oxford since I was nine or ten years old so it was a bit of a wrench to leave, but the time was right for me to move on. It will be difficult for a while, but I will deal with that."

Whitehead made his name as a central midfielder at Oxford but, with Sunderland spoiled for choice in that area, his versatility could yet prove crucial to his chances of forcing his way into the side.

He has played as an orthodox right winger and, while John Oster made that position his own last season, Whitehead will offer some valuable competition this term.

"My favourite position is central midfield," he said. "That is where I prefer to play.

"But I'm also comfortable playing wide on the right so I do have options.

"I just want to be in the team - I don't mind what position I play in as long as I play."