Elliot Embleton's honest appraisal after his first league start for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light

Embleton was given the nod in the No10 role for the 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

“It was my first league start at the Stadium and the start of a new season.

"I have been given a chance to impress in pre-season and the manager decided that I had done enough and gave me a chance.

“I thought I played okay; it wasn’t one of my better performances, but I did manage to create some chances for the team, so I am happy enough with the start. I know I can improve though.”

He told the club website: “I am only in the early stages of my career, so getting a chance to play on the opening day in front of nearly 35,000 fans for my hometown club was massive for me personally.”