THEY’VE stopped short of calling Will Grigg a flat-track bully, but the Sunderland striker has no problems with being labelled a League One striker.

Signed on deadline day last week for £4m – a record transfer for the division, doubling the previous best – the striker is a prolific and regular scorer in the third tier.

He’s been promoted four times from this division, twice with Wigan and also with Brentford and Milton Keynes Dons.

Grigg has scored 95 goals in League One, while netting eight in the Championship and two for Northern Ireland.

If he can get to the century mark with the Black Cats, and helps secure a Championship return, then it will be money well spent.

“When I was signing for Wigan there was an expectation and a big price tag, so it’s something I’ve dealt with before,’’ he mused.

“It’s not a problem for me, I’m confident I can handle it and score goals here.

“I’ve scored a lot of goals in this division. Short-term is to get goals in this league, but the label that I’m a League One striker is one of those things that sticks. I’ve dropped down to this division before and done it again, but I’ve left Wigan as their top scorer this season.

“If that’s what people want to label me – a League One striker – then fine, but I’ve got plenty of time to prove them wrong. People like to be negative constantly, that’s how things are today, but I can prove them all wrong.’’

Grigg, now recovered from an ankle injury suffered playing for Wigan three weeks ago, is in line to make his Black Cats debut at Oxford United this afternoon.

There’s a clear aim at the club this season and Grigg is relishing the prospect of securing success and a return to the Championship, from where he has just dropped down, come May.

“We are in a good position and there’s a lot of potential here,’’ he admitted. “If we win the games in hand we are level with Luton at the top. Why can’t we do that?

“At Wigan last season we were expected to win the league then with an FA Cup run we were behind in terms of and games to play, but once you keep playing and winning games then, with good players around you, you can get in a real strong position.’’

Grigg’s transfer was a protracted one. While Jack Ross and Sunderland had five bids knocked back for the 13-cap international, it was only in the closing hours of the deadline that their offer was finally accepted.

Grigg has played with Max Power for the Latics last season, so knew what the Black Cats are all about.

He admitted: “It’s been a strange month, I was playing for Wigan and you let other people off the pitch sort it out.

“I was doing my best for the club and then got injured and I’m happy it is all done. It can be difficult having a family to think about and I was giving my all for Wigan, so all you can do it put it to the back of your mind.

“I was speaking to the boys here I know and things were positive throughout. Players and all around it were positive, which helped my decision and made it a lot easier.’’

Three points short of a promotion spot, the Black Cats are nine points short of leaders Luton with three games in hand. It’s an inviting and exciting move for a striker.

Grigg added: “The team is in a great position, a lot of quality and character here and my job is simple – be in the box and score goals.

“There’s a stat going round that they scored in every League game this season – and no-one else in the country has manged it so that’s a positive for a striker.

“There’s a lot of games coming up, but we’ve a big squad for a reason and it’s about keep doing what we are doing.’’