Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is convinced Adam Johnson is coming good.
The former Manchester City man was O'Neill's other big-money buy during the summer, but a thigh injury interrupted his efforts to establish himself on Wearside as his best form eluded him.
"He's getting a little bit of form together, which is very, very important for us and important for him as well," O'Neill said.
"He's got the ability, we all realise that, it's just a matter of letting it come to the fore."