DARYL Murphy has revealed the reason for his sudden switch to the left wing - it is the only way he can get a game in training.

The 22-year-old made his first senior start at Highbury on Saturday but, while he was originally signed as a striker when he made a £150,000 move from Irish side Waterford in the summer, he was posted to the left in place of Andy Welsh.

It is an assignment he has become increasingly used to this season. With Andy Gray, Jon Stead, Stephen Elliott and Anthony Le Tallec all desperate to play up front, places are even at a premium on the training ground.

Murphy's response has been to position himself on the left of midfield - a move that caught Mick McCarthy's eye and led to his elevation into the first team.

"I have to play on the left in most of our training sessions," said the Irishman, whose only previous Premiership experience had been a three-minute substitute appearance against West Ham. "We've got so many strikers I don't really get a chance to play up front. It's a bit crowded up there, so I usually drift around on the left-hand side.

"I played on the left for a year or so when I was 12 or 13. I actually started out as a left midfielder and, although striker is now my preferred position, I feel pretty comfortable out there.

"To be honest, with all the injuries at left-back, I've even had to slot in there on more than one occasion. I played a reserve game at left back earlier this season and, funnily enough, it was probably one of my best performances in a Sunderland shirt.

"It gives the manager a few options, and it helps me because he knows I can do a job in quite a few different positions."

McCarthy has always valued versatility - he has also used Stead, Elliott and Le Tallec in midfield roles this season - and clearly sees Murphy as the latest player able to make the step up to the Premiership.

"There weren't many pleasing aspects to the game," said the Black Cats boss. "But Daryl's performance was one of them.

"Whenever he plays up front, he uses the width of the pitch really well. He drifts into those channels and puts good balls into the box.

"Even his corners and free-kicks were well-measured. For a lad that's come from Waterford in the summer, he's done really well.

"I've been pleased with the way he's come on and I think he gives me some strength, power and pace down that left-hand side."

The challenge now is for Murphy to retain his place once the likes of Elliott, Tommy Miller and Julio Arca return to full fitness.

Playing at Highbury was beyond his wildest dreams - playing in ten or 20 games this season would be even more impressive.

"To be honest, I never thought that anything like this would be happening to me now," said Murphy. "I thought I'd have to wait for most of the season.

"When I signed, the gaffer told me he'd give me a chance. To his credit, that's exactly what he's done. He gave me his word at the start of the season, and he's a man of his word."