Gooch wants to repay debt to club.

Byline: SEAN MCCORMICK Sports reporter [email protected]

SUNDERLAND midfielder Lynden Gooch has said he never had any intention of leaving Sunderland this summer, despite there being interest from elsewhere.

Gooch has started the season superbly well, creating four goals from midfield - a total no other player in League One has surpassed. He scored a vital late winner against Charlton as well and has been an integral part of Jack Ross' side, who sit fourth in the League One table.

The 22-year-old had suffered from injuries over the last two seasons but has come to the fore so far this term with a series of good performances.

There was interest from elsewhere over the summer but Gooch - who started travelling to Sunderland from California as a 10-year-old - never entertained leaving because he wanted to repay the faith the club had put in him over the years. He said: "I knew there would be interest elsewhere but this is the club I've been with a really long time and I would do anything to get the club back where it belongs.

"The manager really made me feel I would be an integral part of the team from day one."

He continued: "The past two years have been some of the hardest of my life, let alone in my career being involved with two successive relegations.

"The club means a lot to me. Without the club, I wouldn't be a professional footballer.

"They really invested in me and worked to give the best opportunity to have a career in the game.

"So the club means a lot to me and I hope we can finish the season on a happy note."

Gooch has played every minute of Sunderland's League One campaign this season and is enjoying regular game-time at senior level.

Jack Ross has used him as a winger, a central midfielder and a wingback so far this season and Gooch is slowly becoming Sunderland's 'Mr Versatile'.

He added: "I've been playing as a right wing-back in a 3-5-2, it's been something which is interesting.

"I've never played as a wingback before but I've been enjoying it.

"I am just happy to be playing week in and week out and I think the manager has seen I can play in that position and really offer the team something.

"It's been nice and refreshing to check another position off."

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Sunderland's Lynden Gooch