Daryl Murphy is prepared to wait for his chance at Sunderland.

The Irishman struck four goals in the reserves last week and told Sunderland's website: "There's a good relaxed atmosphere around the place and everyone's pulling together to get the best possible results.

"I'd love to be starting games but you can't argue with the job that Djibril (Cisse) and Kenwyne (Jones) are doing in the side right now.

"All you can do is give your best in the practice sessions and reserve games and I don't think anyone could have accused us of going through the motions against Carlisle.

"The good thing is that at least when you're on the bench, you know you could come on at any time.

"And if you can get plenty of goals when you play in the reserves games, you hope that that will give the manager confidence in bringing you on if there's an opening in a first team game."