Source: northern_echo
McFadden targets full-time stay on Wearside
McFadden targets full-time stay on Wearside
8:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in Sunderland AFC News
By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer
JAMES McFADDEN has set his sights on a long term stay at Sunderland after finally penning a short contract at the Stadium of Light yesterday.
The versatile Scotland forward has been in discussions with the club for the best part of a fortnight after impressing on an initial trial.
And Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has agreed to give him a contract until January in the hope he can show he deserves to stay in the Premier League even longer.
"I'm delighted - this is a good chance to get back playing football and hopefully earn a longer term contract," said McFadden, 29.
"I've enjoyed my short time here so far and hopefully I can get the chance to play games and do well. I already knew some of the lads but the dressing room has been very welcoming. I felt settled from the first day so it's been good."
McFadden had thought the time had come to head back to Scotland and he was training with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell, his first club, when the opportunity to test Wearside out arrived last month.
He has had a couple of appearances for the Sunderland development squad, but is looking forward to make his first team debut - even if he is not involved at Stoke City today.
"I'm getting there but I need games," he said. "The training here is really good, very enjoyable and sharp and I'm feeling better every day.
"It's a hard situation because the more games I play the fitter I will get. At the same time I need to get to a certain level of fitness before I can do that. I hope to be ready soon as possible and do my but for the team."
