JUSTIN Hoyte insists he has no regrets about swapping life at the top end of the Premier League table for a struggle at the bottom.

Had Hoyte remained at Arsenal, rather than make a move on loan to Sunderland last summer, there was every possibility he would have featured in the Gunners' UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Juventus on Tuesday evening.

The Highbury club celebrated a convincing 2-0 first-leg home victory over their Serie A counterparts with several key personnel absent.

Arsenal have had an horrendous time with injuries this season. Defenders Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Gael Clichy, Bisan Lauren and Pascal Cygan have all missed first-team action for long periods. As a consequence, manager Arsene Wenger has had to use midfield star Mathieu Flammini in an unfamiliar left-back birth, such is his dearth of options in the problem position.

There is little doubt Hoyte, who appeared on 12 occasions for Arsenal last term, would have been involved had he remained at the club and, more attractively, be on the threshold of European glory, rather than facing relegation.

Despite this, the 21-year-old defender believes his move to Wearside was the right one, even with the benefit of hindsight.

"I watched the game, being an Arsenal supporter, and the lads did very well," said the Londoner. "They're in a great position to win the Champions League.

"It's not frustrating really because I'm playing for Sunderland, which I love to do. Who knows what would have happened at Arsenal had I still been there. Players might not have got injured and I might not have played, you can never say.

"I didn't expect to play as many games as I have but the move here has definitely helped me to develop as a person on and off the field. My game is better all round and that comes with the experience of playing against top players every week."

Hoyte was just about an ever-present in Mick McCarthy's line up and played in his penultimate match at Birmingham before his former boss left him out - in what turned out to be his last match in charge - against Manchester City.

Caretaker boss Kevin Ball ignored the versatile defender in his first two games in charge but brought him back for Blackburn Rovers' visit to the Stadium of Light last Saturday.

"I haven't played a lot recently but it's still a learning curve for me and mentally I have to keep focused, keep working hard and try to get back in the team," said Hoyte.

"I was happy with the way I played in a few games but I have been disappointed with a few other performances. It is going to happen, as it is a long season."

Hoyte revealed that his performances are not only monitored by both clubs' managers and coaches but also by his father, Les.

Although he admits his father's criticism hurts more than any others, he says he understands it is for his benefit.

He added: "Sometimes he'll say I've done this wrong or that wrong so I can work on the bad things, then he'll say the positives - but he's done it ever since I was little. It's like I'm on player-cam with him.

"He's harsh on me because he cares that little bit more and he wants me to succeed in football. He thinks the loan move to Sunderland is a good one for me. But I really need to thank him. He drives up from London every game, whether it is at home or away."

Meanwhile, the Black Cats are sweating on the outcome of striker Stephen Elliott's scan last night which will determine the extent of his back and hamstring troubles.

Elliott has made only 15 Premier League starts in the Wearsiders Premiership campaign.

Read more about Sunderland here.