Fit again Jan Kirchhoff has heralded the importance of unity ahead of next Saturday’s showdown against Burnley at the Stadium of Light.
The German midfielder returned to action on Monday, featuring for 63 minutes in Sunderland under-23s’ 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United.
Clocking up his first minutes since December, Kirchhoff told safc.com his injury ravaged campaign has left him with a very big point to prove between now and the end of the season.
But while the Black Cats sit at the foot of the Premier League table, the 26-year-old has highlighted the value unity can bring into providing his team-mates with the perfect catalyst to build from.
“For me it was good to get some minutes under my belt – that’s what I need now,” he smiled.
“It’s mainly about fitness, but it is always different to be on the pitch playing a game and trying to win a football match, rather than just training.
“The main thing for us was to win this game and we didn’t do that, so we are quite disappointed.
“For me though it is a positive to have got these minutes and try to build my fitness.
“We have a weekend off because Middlesbrough are playing in the cup, so it is a chance to have a good week training and then start on Monday and keep going throughout the week to work on my fitness,” he continued.
“It has been very frustrating. It is not nice to be out and unable to help the team in any way.
“This whole season has been frustrating, not only for me personally but for us as a team.
“We will try our best to stick together and fight our way back out of this situation."
