SUNDERLAND skipper Michael Gray has turned his back on the worst moment of his career - missing the Wembley play-off penalty which sent Charlton Athletic into the Premiership nearly three years ago.

"Things like that happen in football and unfortunately it was my day that day," said the 26-year-old England international.

"But I have totally forgotten about it."

The classy full back might have put the nightmare to the back of his mind, but as Sunderland prepare to face Charlton for the first time since the thrilling play-off final, fans everywhere will recall the agony Gray went through after bungling his spot kick.

Gray admitted: "At the time the manager said to me it would make me a stronger person and I must say I have enjoyed my football in the three years since then.

"I just keep saying to myself that at least I had the courage to go up there and take the penalty."

The huge disappointment of missing out on promotion made Gray determined to become an even better player, and he revealed that he even reported back early for training after the summer break.

He said: "I came back three weeks early and started training with the younger lads - I couldn't wait for the season to start.

"It was the fittest I'd ever been and I worked very hard in the pre-season build up.

"I really knuckled down and everyone saw how well we did that season and how many points we got as we won the First Division Championship - it was unbelievable

"It was a tremendous team to play in and most of the lads who took part are still at the club."

Gray was not singled out by his teammates for any blame.

He said: "Everyone was upset at the time but no-one was pointing a finger at me.

"Everyone knew how unfortunate it was for what had happened during the whole season to be finished with one kick of the ball."

Gray, however, still believes that the play-offs, if they are retained, should be decided by penalties if the teams are still level after extra time.

He said: "Personally I think it would be better if the top three teams went up automatically.

"But if there are to be play-offs there can only be one way to finish it if the teams are still level and that's by penalties."

Gray doesn't travel to The Valley looking for revenge.

He said: "There is no feeling of wanting revenge but we will certainly be going there looking to win three points, even though we know how difficult it will be.

"We go there on the back of a great victory at Newcastle, but Charlton also had a good result against Chelsea.

"Charlton have come up this season and they are doing very well."

It is Gray's burning desire to play his way back into the England reckoning, but it is even more important for him to help Sunderland establish themselves in the Premiership.

He said: "I am enjoying my football at the moment and the season is going well for me.

"But I have said all along that this team has never been about individuals - the all- important thing is that Sunderland are doing well. If the team are getting results and I'm not playing well then that's fine by me.

"The main thing is that the club is doing well and my ambition for the season is that we can become more successful in the Premiership.

"If we finish one place higher than we did last season it will have been a more successful season and that's the way you have to aim.

"A Cup run would be nice and we have a tremendous game against Manchester United in the Worthington Cup next week - they don't come much bigger than that and everyone is looking forward to it.

"But we've just got to take each game as it comes and we want to do well in the League more than anything else."

Sunderland manager Peter Reid is delighted with the way Gray has progressed since the play-off defeat.

He said: "The supporters' reaction, first and foremost, was fantastic and the players rallied around him. It wasn't Michael Gray's fault - the tension at the time was terrific and it could have happened to anyone. It was an amazing match to be involved in.

"Since then I think he has come through with flying colours."