Alex Pritchard admits there was an element of uncertainty as to how Sunderland would fare after the unfamiliar mid-season break, but the "important" victory over Millwall can now act as a Championship springboard for the Black Cats.

As solid a start as Sunderland enjoyed to the Championship season, finding momentum was a struggle ahead of the stoppage with Tony Mowbray's side having failed to win successive games at any stage.

But that particular run was brought to an end at the weekend as Sunderland resumed Championship action with an impressive 3-0 win over play-off chasing Millwall, the perfect return after Mowbray's men had signed off for the break with a fine victory at Birmingham City,

“We’re delighted to claim back-to-back league wins,” said Pritchard.

“It was important for us to aim for against Millwall, especially after coming away from Birmingham with three points and heading into the break – we wanted to keep that momentum and have a productive time away.

“It’s one of those ones where you wonder how you’re going to come back, but we made sure we came back well.”

Sunderland's players were given a week off after the Birmingham win before they headed to Dubai for a week-long training camp.

The Black Cats returned to Championship action a week before the rest of their rivals and took advantage, climbing into the top 10.

Pritchard told the club website: “We didn’t play our best football in the first half, but that’s football sometimes and you have to grind it out. We rode their set-pieces, which we knew were a threat from their side.

“In the second half we tweaked a few things, and we came out victorious, which was great. We had a good break – we had a week off to start with which was good for us to rest up, and then we got together as a squad for Dubai, and you could see how tight-knit we are as a squad in that we gave it a right good go.

“We ensured we were ready for the Millwall game and like I say, you could feel they were on top in the first half, and we were perhaps not quite at the races, but we were OK and had some good opportunities. It was a case of managing what they offered, raising the tempo, and stepping up our own game in the second half. We focus now on West Brom who have got into some good form, but so have we.”

The visit of West Brom is another tough test for Sunderland, with the Baggies much-improved under Carlos Corberan and winning three games on the bounce before the break.

For Mowbray, it's a clash against a former club and one he still cares for.

He said: "It's a wonderful place, it's a wonderful football environment.

"Apart from when they play Sunderland, I always look for West Brom's results. I look for Middlesbrough, I look for certain teams and their results. West Brom are one of them and I hope to see that they are doing well."

READ MORE: