Sunderland striker Connor Wickham feels his spells away on-loan were of a benefit.
He has spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United this season, before being recalled from his stint at Elland Road last month.
Wickham told the Evening Chronicle: "I didn't plan to go out on loan, but it happened.
"I've played a lot of football since going away. That can only help me and benefit me.
"I came to play Premier League football, but I went away, got match fit, scored a few goals and I've played against three of the top five since coming back.
"I didn't ask to come back, the manager called me, so for me it was a positive and I had something to prove.
"Hopefully this is the start of something new."
