Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has told new manager Sam Allardyce that he is not content with a place on the bench.
The 33-year-old was used as a substitute in Allardyce's first game in charge as the Black Cats lost 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Defoe has not been a regular starter since joining Sunderland from Toronto FC in January, and the former England man has admitted that this has left him frustrated.
"At the age of 33, you want to play football. I didn't come here to sit on the bench," he told The Journal. "You want to play football and score goals. I said that from day one. I don't sit there and think, 'Well, come January I'm going to go'.
"I've just got to focus on the games, stay positive and, if I play then, I've got to do my best, work hard and hopefully score.
"The manager knows. I'm 33, I want to play games. If you speak to any of the boys, everyone wants to play. Yeah, the manager picks the team - you've got to respect that - but at the same time, it doesn't mean you have to be happy about it."
Defoe has scored two goals in seven Premier League appearances so far this season.
Steven Toplis
