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The striker featured in all three of the Young Lions' European Championship losses, and he now wants to prove his worth under Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham is hoping to put his England Under-21 nightmare behind him by working his way into Paolo Di Canio's Black Cats first team.

The 20-year-old featured in all three of his country's games at the European Championships as Stuart Pearce's squad crashed out at the group stage without registering a single point.

Wickham is at a loss to explain how the Young Lions performed so disappointingly in Israel, but hopes to put his international hurt behind him by making his mark for Sunderland next season.

"The mood was devastation," Wickham told the Northern Echo. "I don't think there are any players in there that are going to be proud of what we have put in. We have let the country down and we have let ourselves down in the tournament.

"I honestly couldn't tell you why it went wrong. I think coming into the tournament we had a lot of confidence. We knew we had strength in numbers but obviously when it came down to it we just weren't good enough.

"For now, it is just back to the club, work as hard as I can and try to get into that Sunderland team. Now obviously there is nothing we can do about this tournament - it has gone.

"For me personally, I am looking to the next one, but first and foremost I want to get back into the Sunderland team and starting to play football again."

Wickham made just 10 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats last season, and was sent out for a month's loan at Sheffield Wednesday in February.


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