Martin O'Neill: 'Connor Wickham must be ready'

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has challenged striker Connor Wickham to stake a claim for a regular spot in the club's starting lineup.

The Black Cats will be without the injured Steven Fletcher for the rest of the season, leaving Danny Graham and Wickham as the only two forwards at the Stadium of Light.

Wickham is eager to be given the opportunity to impress his manager after returning from a loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday, but O'Neill has insisted that the 19-year-old needs to start 'producing' for the side.

The Northern Irishman told reporters: "I'm not so sure any player at this club could ever say they have not had a proper chance.

"What you have to do is produce. They have to go out there and do it.

"I saw him playing twice for Sheffield Wednesday and he did much better in the second one. The five games he had there will have helped him out and I hope he is raring to go."

The England Under-21 international has scored just one goal in 23 Premier League appearances for Sunderland.