Connor Wickham insists he never considered leaving Sunderland this season.

The striker penned new terms with Sunderland earlier this season.

Wickham told the Daily Mail: "The speculation never bothered me as much as what was made of it. People don't see what goes on behind closed doors, and it was never in doubt.

"I took criticism for how long it took, but that was the process. At least it's settled now and everyone knows what's happening. I've signed the contract and that's the end of that.

"Over a month, I sat with the gaffer a couple of times and he explained to me what he wanted me to do. We had a good chat for half-an-hour, 45 minutes, and we got a lot out in the open and we understood each other.

"Now I know what he wants from me, and that's made it a lot easier. He said to me way before the negotiations even started what he wanted me to do for this season. I was happy to do it then, I'm happy to do it now.

"The contract was just one of those things that came up between then and now."