Kieran Richardson believes he can provide Steve Bruce with a solution to Sunderland's goal drought this season.
'Full-back' feels he can help to end Sunderland's goal drought
Kieran Richardson believes he can provide Steve Bruce with a solution to Sunderland's goal drought this season.
The Black Cats have only scored seven goals so far this term in what has been a difficult start to the campaign.
Asamoah Gyan's recent departure to the United Arab Emirates to join Al-Ain has left Bruce with a striking vacancy, while summer signings Nicklas Bendtner and rookie Connor Wickham have yet to score.
South Korea international Ji Dong-won grabbed a consolation in the loss against Chelsea two weeks ago, but is still adjusting to the Premier League.
Richardson, who made his name at Manchester United and West Brom as an attacking player, has been deployed at left-back by Bruce.
But he showed he had not lost his eye for goal as he grabbed a late consolation in the 2-1 defeat against Norwich with a rapier low drive on Monday.
And, having enjoyed a more attacking role in the team last term for a short, fruitful period, he has urged Bruce to consider doing so again.
Goal threat
"I played off the striker last season for a bit and scored four goals in five games," Richardson told
skysports.com.
"Asa leaving gives other players a chance now to show what they can do.
"I would love to be given a more advance role. In that type of position I really get to express myself and get more involved. I'm more of a goal threat in those areas.
"Maybe injuries have dictated that I play left-back at the moment but the manager knows what I can do, he sees it all the time in training.
"He's brought a lot of new players in so he's giving them a chance. As long as I'm playing I'm happy but I want to get further forward."
