HAVING failed to convince Roy Keane that he was worth a start for Sunderland, David Healy has admitted that his own confidence was severely dented during the final four months of the Irishman’s reign.

Keane paid Fulham a reported £1.2m in mid-August but gave Healy only one start, in the Carling Cup tie with Northampton in September.

Healy was used on just four other occasions as a sub by Keane and the 29-year-old striker feels he has not been able to do himself justice when given a rare chance.

But after making two appearances from the bench under Ricky Sbragia – supplying Kenwyne Jones’ equaliser at Middlesbrough – Healy is feeling more optimistic.

Instead of looking at moving on during this month’s transfer window, the muchtravelled forward is keen to finally make an impression.

“The move hasn’t gone well so far – that is a massive understatement,”

said Healy.

“It’s been a difficult time for me, my confidence has been low because I haven’t been near the first team and I haven’t scored for so long.

“I speak to people close to me, though, and they’ve said to me that you don’t become a bad player overnight. Some of the games I’ve come on in I’ve lacked a little bit of confidence and I probably haven’t done myself justice.

“I haven’t shown my best yet – to my fellow players, to the fans – and having had Niall Quinn, the chairman, and the board pay the money for me, I did become a little bit anxious. Sometimes I’ve come on and not had the impact I had on Saturday but I haven’t become a bad player. I think I’ve got something to offer.”

Healy is Northern Ireland’s all-time record scorer with 34 goals in 65 games, his displays on the international front have earned him his reputation as a prolific striker.

During stints with Leeds and Preston he lived up to his billing, although he has struggled to figure at Fulham and now Sunderland since leaving Elland Road in July 2007.

Healy accepts his form has taken a battering and said: “I was in and out and the previous manager had his ideas about where people can play and who’s the best for whatever position.

“I was disappointed – I got myself down and probably lacked a bit of confidence playing just ten or 15 minutes here or there.

“It’s something I want to improve for the rest of the season – I want to be involved and I want more game time. The only way I’m going to keep doing that is by scoring goals or creating chances for others.

“I spoke to Roy on a number of occasions and put that across to him but he said ‘be patient’. He had his own thoughts about who he was going to play and put on the pitch – for whatever reason. It is no disrespect to him but I’m happy to be involved and getting a chance.”

After turning down a loan move to a Championship outfit in the last few months, Healy is totally convinced he can help to keep Sunderland in the Premier League.

The Black Cats face Aston Villa on Saturday, when avoiding defeat is essential if Sbragia is to keep the Wearsiders clear of the relegation zone.

Healy added: “It’s a huge thing that we stay up. When you look at the quality of the players we shouldn’t be down there.

“I remember when I signed, everything was so upbeat and it is disappointing to be where we are but if you look at the future everything is bright.”