Will Grigg ready to light up Sunderland

The striker with the song has moved to the Stadium of Light from Wigan in a deal worth up to £4m. If he does what’s expected, catches fire and scores the goals to get Sunderland promoted it won’t be a case of burning away money.

Grigg, a late transfer deadline day mover, has been sidelined for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury picked up while playing for Wigan at Sheffield Wednesday.

He sat out his new club's 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at the weekend, but is back in training and hopeful of being involved at the weekend when the Black Cats go to Oxford United.

“It will be touch and go for the weekend, I’ve been working on my fitness and it’s been sore, but it’s been a case of getting back out on the grass and we have had a good session today,’’ he admitted after training at the Academy of Light yesterday morning.

“Hopefully we can push on come Thursday and Friday and see where we are.

“The last time I was at Oxford I scored a hat-trick so that is in the back of my mind and hopefully I can be involved with a goal or two.’’

It would be easy for Grigg to dismiss the catchy tune adopted to his name.

Will Grigg’s On Fire has made an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, the original Freed from Desire was played at the Stadium of Light at the weekend when he was introduced to the crowd.

He embraces the adopted tune, safe in the knowledge if he hears it, then he’s performing.

“Am I on fire? Let’s see – I came here to score goals and hopefully the crowd can be singing it soon,’’ smiled the Northern Ireland international.

“I like the song, as long as people sing it then I must be doing something good. It came from a good period for myself when I was scoring goals left, right and centre.

“It’s been going on for years now, it was a bit surreal at first. We played Germany in the Euros and the lyrics were on the big screen with 55,000 people there when I was warming up. The Irish fans were singing it, the German fans were singing it. I was taken aback, but really enjoyed it.

“It’s still around now and if we can get it going at the Stadium of Light with a North-East accent then great.’’

Sunderland had five bids rejected by the Latics for Grigg before the late Thursday scramble to secure his services. The £4m is a record League One transfer.

The protracted move was a mainstay of the January transfer window. Wigan didn’t want to lose him, injury kept him out for a couple of games, the Black Cats kept trying. Grigg was waiting to discover where he would be playing his football for the rest of the season, Lancashire or Wearside.

Grigg said: “It has been in the pipeline for a few weeks and bids kept getting rejected. It was completely off at 8 o’clock and that was it. I was sitting with my family, partner, children in bed watching TV and I got a text to say it was on.

“Then I got a call to see if I could be at Wigan’s training ground as quick as possible. It was a real deadline day signing. I got there about 10.20pm and just in time. It a whirlwind to get it done.

“It’s a mad day and I’ve always wondered in the back of my mind what it would be like to be involved in a transfer in the last hour or so. It wasn’t quite how I imagined it, but we got there and the outcome is perfect for me.

“Last Thursday was about trying to stay quiet and calm. I wasn’t sat with the TV on watching the deadline deals. You have to try and switch off and not get too carried away, but make sure you have your phone on loud and with plenty of battery in case anything happens!’’

Ross spoke last week about the merits of staying calm during, what is for many, a frantic time for transfer business.

It’s a mantra he has adopted throughout his career, probably the opposite to Latics’ boss Paul Cook, who rants and raves on the touchline, losing his voice by the game.

“I’ve moved from Wigan where the manager is a different character – there’s not many like Paul Cook probably and he’s very outgoing and loud,’’ reflected Grigg. “The gaffer here came across really well when we met and it’s clear he’s got a good connection with the lads.

“His style of play is how I like to play as well so coming here ticks every box for me.

“The manager has told me all about the team and he wants me to score goals and get promoted – that’s the aim.

“He has made it simple for me, in the box and take the chances that’s my job.

“I’ve been promoted from this division before, four times I’ve done it, so I know what it takes. There’s a lot of young players in the dressing room and hopefully I can pass on my experience of the division.

“I’ll be doing my best to do that.’’

The Black Cats are fourth in League One, three points shy of a promotion spot with two games in hand and nine points adrift from top spot with three games to catch up on leaders Luton.

Their aim for the season is clear: “Short-term is about promotion is something to aim for and long-term, everyone I’ve spoken to about the club, the history and ambition and when you look at the training ground and stadium it means it was a no-brainer for me.

“It’s a sleeping giant this club. It’s been a few difficult years which hasn’t been nice for anyone involved, but on the pitch and off it, it is looking good and in a better place

“It’s my job to help us get back to where it wants to be.

“It’s been a manic few days, incredible really with a lot going on and it’s nice to get out on the training pitch. I’m here to play football and been out there with my boots on yesterday and today.

“I had a look around the place last Friday and to be at the game on Saturday was a good experience, and the lads won a game in difficult circumstances.’’