Pienaar lapping up Sunderland starting berth

Steven Pienaar is enjoying a second berth to his career with his time at Sunderland, and the midfielder insists not even he expected the amount of playing time he is getting under David Moyes.

The 34-year-old has already featured 11 times in all competitions heading into the weekend’s clash with champions Leicester City, a tally better than the entirety of last season with Everton.

It’s a trend which has held similar for Pienaar’s former Toffee teammate Victor Anichebe, himself getting a second wind with three goals to his name so far having reunited with Moyes.

And with Sunderland enjoying a change in fortunes that has seen them win their first two Premier League games of the campaign, Pienaar is hopeful the form can lead to him getting a prolonged run at the Stadium of Light.

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I’ve played more games than I have in the past two years and that’s a really good sign for me, hopefully I can keep doing that every week,” he said.

“But you have to keep working hard, we have a lot of good players so you can’t stop fighting for your place, but I’m happy with where my game is at the present moment.

“I’m playing quite consistently and hopefully that can continue. It’s the same for Victor – he hasn’t played as much as he would have wanted, so I’m delighted he’s had the chance to get some time on the pitch.”