Richardson, like several of his team-mates, is just making his way back to full fitness.

But he feels that for the final eight games of the survival battle, Sunderland will have a powerful squad to pick from.

The £5.5million signing from Manchester United was a surprise absentee for Chelsea's visit last weekend – but he was expected to figure in today's game at Aston Villa.

He said: "It's a very strong side when everyone is fit, but injuries have been bad for us this season.

"We've always seemed to have two or three key players out and, of course, when you come back there's no guarantee that you'll hit your best form straightaway.

"But when the gaffer has everyone fit, he's got a great bunch of lads to pick from. And when that happens I think he might find it very difficult to pick his starting 11, which should be good news for the final couple of months of the season."

Richardson is one of the Sunderland players whose season has been wrecked by injury.

Out with a back problem and hamstring tear after the first month of the season, he did not return to the fray until December.

And then just as he was getting into his stride – scoring three goals in five games – he suffered another setback, aggravating the hamstring strain again while, at Anfield, which enforced another break.

The second absence, though, was nowhere near as long as the first and Richardson hopes that he gets an injury-free run until May now. He added: "It was annoying to tear the hamstring in my right leg for the second time in a row in the same season, but there's nothing you can do about it, you just have to get on with it.

"At least when I did it at Liverpool, I came off straight away and that meant it wasnt so serious and I wasn't out that long.

"I had come back in good form the first time around and when you come back that like you just want to kick on and get goals and get your confidence, but it wasn't to be.

"They have been setbacks, but I'm a strong character and I'm looking forward to the games ahead. I've always been very serious about my football.

"I've always wanted to give 100 per cent to my football both on and off the pitch.

"And I'm happy to be at Sunderland – it's a great club and I hope to continue being here for a long time in the future.

"Now, though, all I want is to have an uninterrupted run. I want to carry on right through to the end of the season now and I think that's what the manager and his coaching staff want from me above all."