Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan admits he was really worried by knee injury he picked up earlier this season

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Sunderland centre-back Tom Flanagan made his first league start of the season at the weekend.

Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan has admitted to the Chronicle that he was really worried about an injury which he picked up earlier this season.

Flanagan was forced to miss the first few weeks of the campaign, after picking up a knee problem during pre-season.

However, the summer signing made his first start for the Black Cats in their 4-1 win over Rochdale this weekend.

And he said: “I was really pleased to get a start in, although it’s about a month-and-a-half too late in my eyes.

“The injury was a pain but it’s over and done with now, I’m feeling fit. I was pleased to get through the 90 (minutes).

“I was really worried when it first happened. It happened on the Tuesday before the first game of the season. It was innocuous but I was in real, real pain. I just sort of went over, there was a challenge with (Lynden) Gooch but I didn’t quite get there.”

Flanagan could now have an important role to play at Sunderland over the rest of the campaign.

The right-back was in impressive form at the weekend, as he helped his side pick up a comfortable three points.

Flanagan was energetic down the right-hand side, with his performances drawing plenty of praise from the Stadium of Light crowd.

Ross’ side’s victory has helped keep them among the front runners in League One, with Sunderland currently in third place.

Sunderland are next in action on Saturday, when they take on Coventry City.