Matt Kilgallon is only thinking of staying with Sunderland.

After making it through his first pre-season game in the Black Cats' defeat to Hartlepool, Kilgallon admits he is ready for the opening game away to Arsenal.

"I'd been trying to just keep fit in the summer and on the Sunday night before we came back on the Wednesday, I was doing a bit of fitness and I pulled my calf," Kilgallon told the Sunderland Echo.

"I thought it would be all right, but I went in Wednesday and trained and it got worse and worse. I just couldn't carry on.

"I was gutted to miss the trip to Korea. I wanted to keep my face in there after getting in at the end of last season.

"But I'm fit now and the gaffer has given me a game and I'm glad he did."