Duncan Watmore has reserved special praise for Sunderland’s backroom staff as he continues to recover from his season-ending injury.
The 22-year-old enjoyed the bright start to the campaign, providing bags of youthful energy to David Moyes’ side alongside fellow Academy graduate Lynden Gooch.
However, Watmore’s season came to a premature end as he ruptured his ACL in the Black Cats’ victory over Leicester City at the start of December, which left the youngster devastated.
Having made 17 appearances prior to being ruled out of action, Watmore has told safc.com he is keen to use the frustration of being sidelined as fuel to inspire a successful return to action, while paying particular tribute to the club’s backroom staff.
“It’s frustrating because it’s obviously not what you want to hear (when told your season is over),” he said.
“It’s an injury you never want but I think the key is accepting it early and just moving on from it and concentrating on the rehab process.
“It’s important now I do everything I can to get back as quickly as I can and make sure I come back a better player.
“The facilities and the staff we have at the club are perfect for me to do that because they all work so hard,” he continued.
“David Binningsley is my rehab physio and he has been fantastic with myself and Paddy (McNair) because we have both done the same injury.
“We are working hard together so while it’s frustrating we have no choice but to get on with it.
“We have to do the hard work and make sure we come back better players.”
