The right back has returned for pre-season training with the rest of The Black Cats' players and cannot wait for the new season to begin against Liverpool next month.

"I'm raring to go," Bardsley told the official club website. "The operation was straight-forward really and I've done some running and stuff. There's no problem with my knee, I've had my rest and I'm looking forward to training."

Bardsley believes boss Roy Keane will look to push up the table in his second season in The Premier League.

"That will only be a start for him (Keane)," added Bardsley. "The manager wants better things all the time and so do the players. He will try to get more out of us and we will push ourselves.

"I think a fair aim is to finish in the top half and have a cup run. "It was great to have some time off, spend some time with the family and go on holiday, but I'm ready to get back into it now.Liverpool) and if you can't get up for that, you won't be up for any game."