SUNDERLAND teenager Zak Johnson wants to force his way into Regis Le Bris' first team plans on Wearside after impressing on loan in Ireland.
The 19-year-old defender is set to return to Sunderland for pre-season on the back of a confidence-building stint with Dundalk.
Having joined the Lilywhites in February, Johnson has played a starring role in a record-breaking run, keeping eight consecutive clean sheets.
That followed a testing spell at Hartlepool in the first half of last season, when Johnson admits he found the transition into regular senior football difficult.
But he's pleased to have now put that behind him and has loved every minute of his time with Dundalk.
"I found myself in the squad after the sixth game and haven't looked back," he said.
"It's been amazing. The support I've got from the members of staff, players around me and the fans has just been incredible, I've really enjoyed it.
"The key message was just to try and play as many games as possible. I know it's very basic but that really is what it comes down to and trying to be as consistent as I can be, bringing the best version of myself.
"For me, the message in my head is I'm not 19 anymore, I need to mature and forget about my age. I need to show no matter what age I am I can be reliable, trustworthy and I can be a player the manager can trust in."
READ MORE:
- Sunderland's spending helps spark a major Championship change
- Sunderland transfer plans, Jobe Bellingham, backroom team & other key questions
Johnson played 11 National League games for Pools in the first half of last season. He admits now that spell didn't go to plan but he headed to Dundalk desperate to make an impact and now wants to show he's ready to step up for Sunderland as new boss Le Bris assesses his defensive options in the coming weeks.
He says: "When I went to Hartlepool, if I'm being truthfully honest, I feel like I didn't give the best version of myself.
"I struggled at times to adapt to the first team environment in the men's game, but coming here (to Dundalk), being away from my family and having that belief that if I want to play for Sunderland first team I need to show to everybody here that I'm kind of better."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here