Harte Craves Sunderland Start

Sunderland full back Ian Harte is hoping to be given a chance to grab a starting spot for the club. Sunderland will be without Paul McShane for the next three games after he was sent of at Arsenal and Harte is hoping to capitalise.

He told the Sunderland Echo 'I'm fully fit now after getting a few reserves games under my belt. They give you a chance to get your fitness levels up and then when you do get a first-team chance, it is up to you to take it.'

Harte was pleased to get on at Arsenal even if it was only for a short period he continued 'It was only a minute-and-a-half, but it was my first game back in England and it was nice to get on the pitch. It would have been even nicer if it had been longer"

'The Premiership is pretty similar now to when I was in England before. It's 90 minutes of hard running and it is about possession - you have to get the ball on the floor and pass it.'

"It's up to the manager to decide what to do. Obviously Paul McShane is suspended for a few games now and that means the team will change a bit and if I get the chance, I'll do my best to stay in the side.'

Editors Comment

It nice to see he pressing for a starting place, I think his experience and of course his skill in dead ball situations will be valuable to us this season.

I don`t know how Keane will change things but I hope he looks to include Harte over Halford because Halfords form since coming to the club has been nothing short of shocking.

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