GRANT Leadbitter is determined to hold down a regular first-team place in Sunderland's starting XI after finally making the breakthrough and targeted April's Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United to achieve his 'dream'.

The 20-year-old midfielder admitted his first full Premiership start for the Black Cats, against Birmingham last weekend, left a bitter-sweet taste in his mouth.

He was thrilled to make the starting line up for the first time but he didn't care too much for losing.

"I didn't really enjoy the game on Saturday because we lost," admitted Leadbitter, who replaced the suspended Tommy Miller at St Andrews.

"It was good to be involved but I want to win. I hate losing!"

The Sunderland boss was true to his word when he recently hinted that his young protg would get his chance sooner rather than later after some eye-catching performances for the reserves and a glowing endorsement from his managerial counterpart Mick Harford at Rotherham, where Leadbitter spent a month on loan late last year.

The Sunderland midfielder may have only made four fleeting appearances for the club but he has already grown impatient and, despite only in his formative years as a professional, he believes first-team football should be a regular occurrence by now.

"I'm not sure if the manager was thinking this was the season I could make the breakthrough but I've broken in now so hopefully I can stay there," said Leadbitter.

"He watches all the reserve team games so he could see how I was progressing. He told me I'd been doing well so he gave me my chance.

"I'm enjoying it and I feel comfortable at this level.

"I had to get in this season. I just turned 20 in January so I had to be playing first-team football. I set myself personal targets all the time.

"It's not been any harder coming in at a time when we're struggling for results. We're playing well at the moment anyway.

"I felt on Saturday we had a lot of the game and, especially in the second half, the confidence was good.

"Confidence is everything but most of the games we've played I've felt we've deserved something out of them."

With Sunderland all but doomed to playing Championship football next term, the only highlight remaining on the fans' calendar is the Magpies' visit to the Stadium of Light on Easter Monday.

Leadbitter was brought up in Fence Houses, near Chester-le-Street, but while most of his pals took the bus to St James' Park, Leadbitter preferred to take an alternative route.

"I've always been a red-and-white," said the self-confessed Black Cats fanatic."

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