‘You have to say I’ve arrived and Kyle certainly did that’
Phil Parkinson hailed Kyle Lafferty for taking his chance to make an impression on his full Sunderland debut.
A back problem for Charlie Wyke allowed the striker to make his first start for the club, and he announced himself in spectacular fashion with a second-half brace that should have secured three vital points for his team.
The Black Cats were pegged back in the 96th minute by Mikael Mandron but Lafferty has staked his claim to keep his place in the XI.
Parkinson had hinted in his pre-match press conference that he wanted to see more from his January signings when they had the chance to come off the bench in previous games, but the injury for Wyke opened the door for the Northern Ireland international.
“I'm pleased for Kyle,” Parkinson said.
“The first is a great team goal and the second is a fantastic pass from George and a cool finish. It's great, for us and him, to get off and running.
“He grew into the game and you always feel he's a danger when the ball goes into the box because his movement is very good.
“He had a great chance to score before that with his left foot and you'd expect him to put that away,” he added. “I'm pleased, he's a good lad.
“There's been a lot of talk about players out the team and making changes, but as I said before the game, it's up to the players to take that chance, whether it's off the bench or starting.
“You have to say 'I've arrived' and Kyle certainly did that.”
Parkinson also said that Wyke has a good chance of being in the squad when the Black Cats travel to Bristol Rovers tomorrow night.
That game comes in the middle of a pivotal week for Sunderland, who then face Blackpool next Saturday.
An extended break is likely to follow those games, and Parkinson had been tempted to ask Wyke to pain through the pain barrier.
The issue has been troubling him for over a week, making him a doubt before the 1-0 defeat to Coventry City at St Andrews.
Parkinson hopes it will now be sorted ahead of the remaining nine games.
“Charlie has had a bit of a problem with his back recently so we decided to get that sorted,” Parkinson said.
“He's got a good chance for Tuesday.”