AIDEN McGEADY has hinted that he would like to stay at Sunderland beyond this season after turning in his best display since returning to the fold.

The Irishman’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and even though he is due to turn 35 in April he wants to keep on playing.

On the evidence of his four assists for Charlie Wyke’s goals in the 4-1 win over Doncaster on Saturday, McGeady is starting to hit top gear again.

He said: “It’s not up to me. The manager has said he sees me having two or three years left. I was playing in the Championship last season with Charlton and I felt I could still play there, that level even though I’m not saying I was ripping it up.

“But my focus is to play with Sunderland as long as I can. When I signed that extension a couple of years ago, I probably should have left in the summer. The way things were going I thought it best to stick around.”

McGeady was clearly referring to the results under Phil Parkinson; his previous manager and the man who decided to omit him from the first-team squad.

Johnson was quick to bring him back into the side for his first game on December 5. After 13 league games of his reign McGeady is really starting to enjoy himself again.

McGeady said: “I have a lot of freedom with the ball. With the ball I can do what I want as long as players fill in. He is totally different to what we had before in terms of how he wants the team to press and play. It’s difficult for him as well because we are trying to implement his ideas.

“A year ago I was the pantomime villain. I went from pantomime villain to almost the hero when I came back. I thought there was pressure on that but football can change very quickly.

“I can’t complain about anything right now. I am just glad to be back playing."