Patrick van Aanholt was delighted to prove Sunderland's matchwinner in their FA Cup triumph over Leeds United.

Since the Dutchman dislocated his shoulder at Crystal Palace on November 3, the Black Cats have been without a specialist left-back.

But the former Newcastle and Chelsea player returned at the Stadium of Light, setting up Sunderland's FA Cup fourth-round tie with either Fulham or Wolverhampton Wanderers by scoring the only goal against Leeds United.

"I was meant to start training with the group yesterday, but the gaffer just called me up and said, 'How do you feel about training on Friday and then playing in the game at the weekend?'" he revealed to The Journal.

"I said, 'I'll see how I feel after training, and if I feel comfortable enough, I'll definitely play'. If I hadn't felt good, I would have waited another week."