Josh Scowen opens up on Sunderland's midfield battle and the 'difficult decision' facing Phil Parkinson

But Scowen believes the healthy competition in the middle of the park can only be a good thing for the Black Cats as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign.

The 27-year-old was made to wait for his opportunity this term, but the absence of Max Power and Chris Maguire saw him given an opportunity at Charlton Athletic – where he shone in an attack-minded role.

That performance looked to have thrust Scowen firmly into contention for the trip to Swindon on October 17 but, with Maguire and Power impressing in midweek against Carlisle, Parkinson will have some tough decisions to make prior to the game.

But that’s no bad thing, according to Scowen.

"We've got a good number of players in the midfield area so you have to perform to keep yourself in the team,” he said.

"Max has come back in, Chrissy will be back at some point, Dobbo as well - they were the three who started the season.

"They're very good players, experienced players, and there's healthy competition there.

“That's part of football.

"It's probably good for the manager to have difficult decisions, but at the end of the day he's going to need the whole squad and we've got a very good squad.

"Whatever team the gaffer picks to put out, we're going to fight for the three points.”

Scowen’s appearances this term have come in a more attack-minded role, with the former QPR man proving himself as a threat in the final third – particularly with his delivery from wide areas.

And while he has been categorised as a defensive-minded player for much of his career, Scowen says that attacking instinct is nothing new.

“It [an attacking mindset] is something that's always been there for me but I've never prided myself on that,” he admitted.

"For me, I like to run around, work hard, make little tackles and things like that. But it's something that I've had in my game, just not something I'm probably not described as when people talk about what type of player I am.”

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