Andy Cole says Sunderland's setup is the most professional he's been involved in since his days at Manchester United.

"If I'm being completely honest there are few surprises really with the manager," said Cole.

"He is just as motivated as he was as a player. He has transformed into a manager that I would have expected him to from the days I knew him as a player. I knew what to expect.

"It's very thorough and very professional. It's a mini Man United really. Everything is done the right way and that's what people who knew him as a player would expect."

"It was a priority of mine to stay in the Premier League if I'm brutally honest," Cole told The Journal. "I want to get 200 Premier League goals. That is a big personal goal of mine and coming to a place like this, playing with youth and experience, is going to help. That persuaded me.

"I left Portsmouth and I was out of work - or not playing - for three weeks. I had a few options, but I wanted to stay in the Premier League because I honestly believe I can still score goals in the Premier League.

"I wanted to crack on with something and I was getting itchy feet. I wanted to play and it wasn't easy.

"I don't expect to walk into the first team anywhere. I am getting fit, but the only way you can get there is to play at the highest level. I am as fit as I can be."