Sunderland defender Billy Jones is hoping to remain injury-free this pre-season.

Jones endured a difficult start to life as a Sunderland player last year after a hamstring injury before the start of the season wrecked his preparations.

Due to the injury, Jones struggled throughout the course of the campaign and following such a frustrating period, the defender is now hoping for an injury free pre-season this time around.

He told the club's official website: "The keyword last season was frustration so I'm hoping to play a lot more games and make a good impact during the upcoming campaign.

"Pre-season is a massive part of that and last year my first hamstring injury came just before the start of the campaign, so hopefully I can come through pre-season without any problems and put my name in the frame for the game against Leicester City."