Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is determined to make the most of his loan with Carlisle United.

Pickford made his debut for the Cumbrians in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Gillingham after joining the League One strugglers on a month's loan just 24 hours earlier.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "My overall aim is to get into the first team at Sunderland, but I know I need to take things step by step.

"Hopefully that approach will bring success and I'll get some games for Sunderland.

"I think I'm close to 40 competitive games now, so I just want to get as many more as possible under my belt and hopefully it will all pay off.

"I was only just 17 when I went to Darlington, so that was a really good learning curve for me.

"I was playing in the reserves last season before I got the chance to go to Alfreton in February. I really enjoyed my football there and felt I played well.

"Burton was another step up, which really helped me, so I'm looking forward to this period now.

"Playing games really helps with confidence and as you get into the loan spell you can feel yourself learning and maturing as a keeper.

"You learn when to come for things and when not to, so I think maturity is one of the main things I'm gaining from these loan spells.

"The staff at Sunderland have just told me to do what they know I'm capable of doing. I'll just keep my head down and be as good as I can be. Hopefully that will bring some good performances."