Spurs right-back DeAndre Yedlin realises threat to Sunderland starting spot

DeAndre Yedlin admits his confidence has improved from a run in the Sunderland starting XI, but is not taking his spot for granted.
DeAndre YedlinDeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin

On-loan Spurs full-back Yedlin has started Sunderland’s last five games after being preferred to Billy Jones, and the American international has generally performed well, albeit he produced a daft foul throw in the build-up to Newcastle’s equaliser in last weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby.

Moving to Sunderland last summer has handed the 22-year-old his first sustained taste of Premier League football and while the defender is enjoying his run in the side, he remains wary of the challenge posed by fellow right-backs Jones and Emmanuel Eboue.

“Obviously, the confidence is going up,” he said.

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“But you can’t be at a point where you get too comfortable or too relaxed.

“One mistake and you’re out of the line-up.”

Yedlin is currently with the USA squad ahead of back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala.

And since moving across the Atlantic to join Spurs 14 months ago, Yedlin believes he has matured on and off the field after coming through the ranks of MLS outfit Seattle Sounders.

He added: “I think one of the reasons I took that step over to Europe was to mature not just on the field but off the field as well.

“I think I’ve taken steps in doing that. I feel more mature.

“I have learned a lot from time in Europe, my time in Seattle and my time on the national team.”