Benjani wants starting place

Powerful forward hoping to dislodge current duo

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Benjani wants starting place

Benjani: Wants starting place

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Sunderland loan striker Benjani admits he is going to have to work hard to break up the partnership of Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones.

The Zimbabwean forward has moved to the Stadium of Light on a short term switch from Manchester City, where he had fallen down the pecking order up front.

He is expected to start on the bench against former club Portsmouth on Tuesday, but is hoping to get more time on the pitch soon.

"I need to play so I am pleased to be here and hopefully I will have more time on the pitch," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"There are a lot of good players at Manchester City and when that happens it can be very difficult - the only way forward is to work hard.

"It is the same here. You saw the performance of Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent on Saturday (against Wigan). They were very good.

"If they keep performing like this then it is going to be very hard to get into the team.

"Manchester City bought a lot of expensive players and so it was difficult to get time on the pitch, that is why I came somewhere else.

"The idea with this move is that I have to prove I can do something for the long term. If I do well I would like to stay here.

"It all depends on how I play. I am ready for the challenge."

Pompey return

The 31-year-old scored 19 goals in 70 league appearances for Pompey during a two-year spell with the club, and although he has fond memories of his time on the South Coast, admits he wants a result for his current side.

"I did well for Portsmouth and when I was there was a good time for me. I hope I can go back and play well for Sunderland now," he added.

"Of course, I want my former team to be successful so I hope they come out of their problems. I wish them all the best but I am going back with Sunderland so if I play I will be trying to win.

"I am still in touch with some of the guys at Portsmouth who I played with - David James, John Utaka, Kanu.

"Kanu was joking with me the other day saying, 'hey, you're with Sunderland - you're going to be down with us now. But I said it would not be like that."