The midfielder was starved of match action while talks were held over his move from Spurs.

But three games in a week blew away the cobwebs, and Tainio hopes the Black Cats' final pre-season tests – in Ireland against Athlone Town tonight and Shamrock Rovers on Saturday – will hone his sharpness ahead of the Premier League kick-off against Liverpool on August 16.

The Finland international, who made his home debut in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Ajax, said: "The move here broke up my pre-season.

"I had one week when I wasn't training with Spurs or with Sunderland and I had to work on my fitness on my own, but without any proper football.

"I'm still working on my fitness, but there is another week and a half until the season starts and I will be ready by then.

"It's always good to make your home debut and play in front of your own fans at the stadium.

"But it was also my third game in the space of a week, and I hadn't played for two and a half months before that, so I was quite tired by the time I came off!

"I was disappointed that we lost because we had a lot of chances and a lot of shots, but didn't make them count.

"We worked hard, but that is not enough - we want to be winning games, that is what we go out there for."

Tainio signed a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light while Sunderland were training and playing in Portugal.

But he was involved in last week's games against Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest and Ajax, operating in a holding midfield role.

"I prefer to play in central midfield, and one of the reasons that I wanted to join Sunderland is that the manager said he would give me the chance to do that," he said.

"I know that circumstances can change during a season, and there are no guarantees about where you will play.

"I don't mind playing right-back or left-back or wherever for a few games if needs be, but mainly I am a central midfielder and that's where I want to play."

The 28-year-old has been struck by the friendly welcome he has received in Sunderland.

Tainio and his new team-mates left for Ireland yesterday. He added: "My impressions of the club have been really positive.

"Sunderland is a massive club with a great stadium and the training ground and facilities are fabulous.

"I am still settling in but the more I work with the other lads, the better it will be. Ireland should help with that."