After starring in Sunderland's 3-0 reserve defeat of Bolton, Ian Harte has declared himself fit to start in the Premiership for Roy Keane's team.

Harte told the Sunderland Echo: "I'm fully fit now after getting a few reserves games under my belt.

"They gives you a chance to get your fitness levels up and then when you do get a first-team chance, it is up to you to take it."

He added: "It's up to the manager to decide what to do. Obviously Paul McShane is suspended for a few games now and that means the team will change a bit and if I get the chance, I'll do my best to stay in the side."