Stephane Sessegnon says he has no plans of walking away from Sunderland despite a difficult beginning to the season.

The Benin international is being linked with a winter departure, with French club Marseille prominent, but insists that he is determined to stay at the Stadium of Light and help the 16th-placed Black Cats out of the danger zone.

"A winter departure? Even though results have been difficult, I still have something to prove at Sunderland, " Sessegnon told France Football.

"There is a challenge here that I have to seize. I prefer not to start planning for the future.

"I know nothing about the rumours linking me with Marseille. "

And Sessegnon admits he had other interest from English clubs prior to signing for Sunderland from Paris Saint-Germain in January.

"There was contact from Chelsea and Everton and we almost reached the negotiation stage," he added.

"But I prefer not to live in the past.

"If I had signed for Chelsea maybe things would have been different, but another opportunity always comes along."

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