Sunderland: Ross Stewart feels he is thriving in the Championship

Fresh from his 26 goal haul last season in League One, Stewart has found the net twice this season from the Black Cats opening three games of the league season.

The 26-year-old is a key man in the Sunderland squad and following his prolific year in the club's promotion campaign, Stewart was always looking forward to testing himself in the division above.

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He said: "(The step up) was never really something I was worried about. I always felt with my goal return last year that I could score at this level. It’s new to me but I feel that I’m thriving - I’m comfortable, which my goals have shown, and there is more to come. I’ll continue to enjoy the challenge and hopefully the goals will keep coming."

Stewart was the main man leading the line last season but has had a strike partner to feed off this year in Everton loanee Ellis Simms and the pair have struck an immediate chord.

Simms has scored three in his first two games for the Black Cats with the pair scoring in the weekend's 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers.

Stewart continued: "I feel comfortable with someone up next to me. Ellis is similar to myself, he’s a big lad who is mobile, so we both offer a threat to feet and in the air.

"It’s early in our relationship in terms of building our chemistry but there were bits here where we linked up really well, and when we tidy bits up I’m sure we will cause even more trouble."

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Sunderland were pegged back by a late goal at the weekend in a dramatic 2-2 draw with QPR but he feels that the club have already shown their capabilities in the second tier.

The striker added: "When we play our football we’re a good team in this league. We’ve just got to show that belief every week. If we do that, we’ll be just fine."

Asked whether he was surprised by their good start, the Scotsman replied: "No, I don’t think so. We’ve got a great blend of youth and experience with a good bit of quality. We always knew we would hurt teams."