Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore is happy with how his recovery from injury is coming along and can’t wait to link up with new Black Cats boss Simon Grayson.

The 23-year-old has missed the last six months but he’s making progress and is currently away with his teammates in Austria, with his fitness improving every day.

While he has not yet been able to join in full training with the squad, Watmore says the feedback on Grayson has been very positive so far.

“From what the lads have said they’re all loving it. It looks really intense and there’s a lot of competitiveness and a desire to work hard, and the manager seems to have really taken to the lads and they’ve taken to him.

You can see the positivity,” Watmore told the Sunderland website. After doing the hard yards in the gym to begin his recovery, Watmore is happy to be in Austria with the rest of the squad.

He’s hoping there isn’t too much sign of ring-rust in his game after a prolonged stint on the sidelines as he tries to get back to basics.

“You want to be with the lads as much as possible because when you are you feel much more included.

It’s been a long time which is frustrating but I’m back now and looking forward to getting back playing,” he added.

“It’s really nice to be kicking a ball again and it does feel like a real progression – hopefully my touch hasn’t got any worse! Being back on the ball is a real reward after working hard in the gym in the last few months.”