FRAIZER Campbell is confident he can finish the season as Sunderland’s wingman after replacing the sidelined Seb Larsson.
Striker Campbell made his first start in eight as a makeshift right-winger in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Bolton after Larsson was ruled out of the season’s finale following a hernia operation.
Campbell, who played on the flank during his first year on Wearside, has no issue with dropping deeper and hopes he can keep his place for Sunday’s trip to Fulham.
The 24-year-old told the Gazette: “I’ve played out on the right for Sunderland, and did it while I was younger too, so it doesn’t really bother me. My main aim is just to get playing.
“There is a lot more defensive work involved, and then you’ve got to get up the other end as well.
“But as a striker, I’m going to get forward as much as possible, so hopefully I can still get among the goals.
“Seb has been fantastic for us this season, and scored some vital goals, as well as working his socks off.
“It’s hard on him that he won’t be able to finish the season after getting his hernia done, but he’d been playing through the pain for a few weeks.
“The Euros are a big occasion for him and it would have been harsh for him to miss it.”
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Campbell felt the effects of his exertions against Bolton after he was replaced with 20 minutes to go due to cramp.
But he believes that is an inevitable side-effect of being largely confined to the substitutes bench since returning from 17 months on the sidelines with knee injuries.
“I have not played much football over the last few weeks so it was nice to get some minutes under my belt,” said Campbell.
“I have not really had a good run of five or six games in a row recently and it’s pretty hard to get match fitness.
“I got cramp, but I was out a pretty long time and it still takes its toll.”
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