BEING at the age of 20, Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin has his best years ahead of him in the game as the youngster wants to continue the attacking and defensive side of his game.

Since signing as a fresh faced youth player from Tottenham Hotspur, Cirkin has gone on to establish himself as the Black Cats first choice left-back making 41 appearances in all competitions last season.

Shortly after Alex Neil took over in February earlier this year, Sunderland have resolved defensive frailties at the back making them hard to beat, which was testament to their 16 match unbeaten run towards the back end of last season.

Cirkin played in a number of postions across the defensive back line but his most comfortable position is at left-back.

With Sunderland shoring things up at the back, Cirkin is targeting an improvement in his attacking output next season. "I think personally I’m trying to build that part of my game" he said.

"Last season when the new gaffer came in I think I solidified the other side of the game, the defending, so locking the ball in and working hard off the ball.

"That’s something I’m trying to build on this pre-season as well is just going forward with the ball because I know it will be important in the Championship as well."

During pre-season, Cirkin provided an assist for the opening goal of their 2-0 win over Dundee United and twice came close to being on the scoresheet in their 2-1 defeat against Accrington Stanley at the weekend. 

He joked: "That’s what I was thinking today. I told Rosco (Stewart) when am I going to get my goal?  As long as I’m trying to help the team and defending that’s all that matters."

There has been notable changes to the structure and shape of Sunderland under Alex Neil who has made them a hard team to beat in the calendar year. The 20-year-old has been no exception to that.

However, he explained that there is much more to his role than keeping things tight at the back and that he is learning to adapt his game. "I think it changes every game depending on the other team" he admitted. 

"I think tactically it has changed a lot for me so I’m seeing a lot more different things, positive and negative as well depending on the position.

"I think getting forward is definitely something the gaffer wants me to do and I feel like it can come from me as well. Doing both sides of the game and just pushing myself is what I’m trying to do this pre-season so I’m ready for it."

Sunderland face one more pre-season friendly later this evening against Hartlepool United where Neil is expected to make wholesale changes for the game at the Suit Direct Stadium.