Sunderland management are pleased with the attitude of Connor Wickham.
The striker was recalled last week from his loan at Leeds United.
"What I liked about him is that he wasn't in the squad a couple of times and he went and asked if he could go out on loan," coach Charlie Oatway told the Sunderland Echo.
"I don't know if it's rare for players to ask to go out on loan these days, but it isn't as common as it used to be.
"Gus accepted that. He wanted to go and play football.
"So you're hoping that all of these little bits add fuel to his fire, hopefully give him a little bit more education about football and life, and hold him in good stead.
"That's why we brought him back and he walked straight back onto the training pitch, and at Anfield, and gave a good account of himself."
