Connor Wickham wants to stay and prove himself to Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio.

Wickham wants to impress Paolo Di Canio on the training field and prove he can make the grade with the Black Cats.

Wickham told the Sunderland Echo: "Obviously the main aim for the season is to try to establish myself in the first-team this year.

"There's good competition up front because we've got a number of good strikers at the club now.

"But hopefully I can just get my head down, work as hard as I can and make sure I do everything right personally.

"Hopefully then, the manager will recognise it."