Sunderland's Liam Bridcutt open to Leeds United stay if club "aims high"

The 26-year-old Sunderland midfielder, on loan at the Championship side until the end of the season, admits he is "really happy" playing under Steve Evans.

With Bridcutt expected to leave the Stadium of Light in the summer, he admits he would be willing to sign for Leeds - if they can match his own ambition.

"I'm really happy here," said Bridcutt.

"I'm playing football, which is what I came here for, and that mattered more than anything else.

"I said when I first joined that there was no point talking about the future there and then because I wasn’t playing games [at Sunderland]. Playing games was about my only priority.

"We are all thinking about next season now though.

"I don't know what’s ahead of me but that doesn't mean I’ll just play out the games we've got left.

"I want to play well in them. The better I play the more options I’ll have in the summer. The more options I have the better it is and you only get options by playing well. Leeds would only want me if I'm playing well.

"For me, yes I’d like to stay at Leeds if the circumstances are right so every time I go out on the pitch, I'm playing for a place in the team and not just for this season.

"But I do want to play in the Premier League. I’ve been at that level before. Every club I’m at, I want to be aiming high and I want the club to aim high.

"If Leeds are willing to do that in the summer then I’d be happy to stay," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Bridcutt had failed to feature at all under either Dick Advocaat or Sam Allardyce at Sunderland this season, with both considering him surplus to requirements.

He joined Leeds on loan until the end of the season in January, with a view to a permanent switch in the summer.

Sunderland spent £2.5million to bring Bridcutt from Gus Poyet’s former club Brighton in January 2014 but the move didn't work out for the midfielder.

Evans has previously said he would be keen to take Bridcutt to Elland Road on a permanent deal.