Sunderland striker Craig Lynch is targeting more first team action in 2012.
The 19-year-old was an unused substitute during the 4-1 win at Wigan earlier this month and has already made his senior debut for Sunderland.
Lynch told safc.com: "We're right up there and it's been a good season so far, and personally I'm hoping to push on towards the first team having been on the bench at Wigan.
"That's really given me the hunger to step up to the next level - I've seen what I have to do and I've been working hard in the gym and on the training pitch."