David Vaughan hopes to avoid injuries

Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan has revealed that he wants an injury-free season to force his way back into the first team.

The 29-year-old Welshman started under half of the Black Cats' Premier League matches last season due to ligament problems on top of two hernia operations.

"I had a few injuries that hampered my season and interrupted the flow," he told BBC Sport.

"Hopefully I can keep injury-free and keep a place in the team."

Vaughan signed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light from Blackpool last summer.