Dion Sanderson has this pledge for Sunderland fans as he opens up on the 'tough' days of his loan spell

The central defender impressed in the draw with Hull City having partnered Bailey Wright in the centre of the Black Cats’ defence.

It was Sanderson’s third straight start in League One after a difficult beginning to life on Wearside, which saw him largely consigned to the bench after being signed on a season-long loan by Phil Parkinson.

But having now established himself in the first-team fold, the Wolves youngster is keen to keep improving - and insists there is plenty more to come from him in the coming weeks.

"100%,” replied Sanderson, when asked if his best was still to be shown.

"I was in the Championship last year playing right-back and then coming in, I'd say it's more physical in League One. It's getting used to that physicality of the players around me.

"I found it tough at the start but I'm building on it. I'm learning every day and every game is a new challenge.

"There's still a lot more to come from myself

"I've only recently started playing most games recently, since the gaffer has come in and shown his trust in me.”

Johnson played-up Sanderson’s talents last week, having admitted that Wolves had shown some frustration at the lack of gametime handed to their academy product.

And it wasn’t just the defender’s parent club who were frustrated, with the man himself admitting he found it ‘tough’ being out the side.

But the arrival of Johnson as head coach has heralded new opportunities and experiences – which the 21-year-old is keen to embrace.

“It's been tough,” admitted Sanderson.

"At the start it was hard, not playing - it's hard for any player.

"But since the new gaffer has come in he's shown his belief and trust in me.

"We spoke quite a few times and it's good to be playing again. I just want that experience of being around the first team day in, day out.”

Sanderson’s first-team involvement looks set to continue, particularly given Tom Flanagan is expected to spend a spell on the treatment table.

And the youngster is hopeful of building on the positives seen in the stalemate with Hull City, even if the result wasn’t one which left the squad satisfied.

"It is a good result, but it's not something we're satisfied with,” he admitted.

"Every game we want to win really, it's always disappointing when we lose or draw.

"But it's another game we can build on, look back, review and move on. We've got another game coming up soon we need to recover and get ready for that game.

“You can be 1-0 down in the first five minutes but you've still got however long left of the game,” he continued.

"It was important the boys were focused throughout and we got the goal back but just couldn't get the three points in the end. But it's something we can improve and build on.”

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