George Honeyman admits nearly leaving Sunderland

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George Honeyman has featured more regularly than any other Sunderland player in the league this season.

George Honeyman has told the Shields Gazette that he has thought about leaving Sunderland previously, but is loving life now he is the in the first-team.

Honeyman has been a key player under both Simon Grayson and Chris Coleman this season, with the midfielder getting regular game time.

Honeyman has featured more than any other Sunderland player in the league this campaign, with the 23-year-old becoming an established member of the squad.

But he admits that it has taken him longer than he was hoping to break into the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light.

And Honeyman has claimed that there are times when he considered making an exit in search of regular action.

“If I hadn’t thought [about leaving] then I wouldn’t have the right desire to be a footballer,” said Honeyman. “I was 21, 22, made my debut at 19, but that was just a couple of minutes and then I was out the picture.

“It is hard to stay in the picture with so many different managers as a young lad.”

Honeyman’s performances this season have drawn mixed reviews, as with many of Sunderland’s first-team squad.

The youngster has been part of a Sunderland side, who are having to battle hard against relegation.

Coleman’s men moved off the bottom of the league with a victory last weekend, but they are still nowhere near out of trouble.

Sunderland are next in action on Tuesday evening, when they take on Birmingham City.