HAVING waited more than a year to make his return in a Sunderland comeback after a serious knee injury, Duncan Watmore is prepared to be patient. Still, he can’t wait to play in League One for the Black Cats.

Such a prospect might not have whetted the appetite for a young England Under-21s striker a couple of years ago when he was being tipped for big things in the Premier League.

But after a nightmare couple of years on Wearside with two cruciate knee ligament injuries, Watmore is just excited to be involved in the Sunderland squad for the visit of Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

After two substitute appearances since his recovery against Notts County in the Checkatrade Trophy and then Walsall in the FA Cup have gone smoothly, all eyes are now on when he will figure in League One.

Watmore has been told he will be in the matchday squad to face Rovers this afternoon, and then it will be just a matter of whether manager Jack Ross wants to involve him on the field at any point.

“Each one has been a kind of a step up in the right direction, because Walsall was a step-up on the intensity of the Checkatrade and I’m sure the league will be a step-up on that,” said Watmore.

“That’s just the way it goes and that’s why it’s worked out well in terms of the managing of the process. I’m fully aware that it’s going to be very intense and something that I’m going to have to manage.

“It’s what we’ve worked so hard for, that match day moment in the league and helping the club. Our ultimate aim is to get promoted and I’d love to contribute in the second half of the season to the lads doing that.”

Watmore has only made 22 league starts for Sunderland during his career at the Stadium of Light, mainly as a result of the horrible and successive cruciate injuries which have kept him out for the best part of two years. He would love happier memories from now on.

He said: “I’ve experienced a lot of highs and lots of low here. When we stayed up under Sam Allardyce and the reaction then, that day that we won 3-0 against Everton, I’ve never seen the stadium like that in my life.

“Feelings like that are why you do this job and what makes us so lucky. Obviously this season the lads have been doing brilliantly and winning games and that’s something you’re desperate to be part of. I really want to contribute to that in the second half of the season and hopefully I can be involved in more and more of them.”

Sunderland have dropped out of the play-off places after winning just two of their last six matches, albeit in all competitions. For Sunderland to make a statement of their promotion intentions, Watmore knows the festive period will be the ideal time to do just that.

He said: “This Christmas period is going to be busy, but that’s not a bad thing when you can win more games. That’s definitely how we’re looking at it and we’re looking forward to putting together a really good Christmas run and making sure we’re in a dominant position high up that table.

“The only way we can do that is training hard and putting in performances week in, week out, or twice a week. We’ll need all the squad for that.”

Watmore is one of Ross’ increased attacking options now, along with Jerome Sinclair and Josh Maja. Charlie Wyke is also edging closer to a return and could figure before New Year.

Watmore is more than just a centre-forward, though, and Ross understands as much. He is weighing up whether to start him through the middle or down the flanks.

Wherever he pops up, he can make a real impact in League One provided he can stay fit.

Watmore said: “That’s what you need in this congested period, more options.”