Gyan targets Sess strike partnership

Asamoah Gyan has vowed to keep 'doing his thing' for Sunderland this season, and hopes to establish a fruitful forward partnership with Stephane Sessegnon at the Stadium of Light in the forthcoming campaign.

The 27-year-old Benin international, dubbed 'little precious' by Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, arrived on Wearside from Paris Saint Germain for £6million in January, and is quickly building a great reputation for himself amongst the Sunderland fans.

Sessegnon will hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow African trickster Gyan, who scored 11 goals for Sunderland last season, and is relishing the prospect of adding to that tally with the added service of his teammate.

"I am very happy for Sess - I knew him when we both played in France and he was a very good player even then," said Gyan. "He didn't play much in the run-up to his move here so it was a difficult start when he joined the club.

"But Stephane proved himself towards the end of the season and has made an excellent start [this year]. To have such an excellent player playing so well is a good sign for the team. I have confidence in him and I wish him well."


 

Sessegnon notched his third goal of pre-season in Wednesday night's friendly against Kilmarnock, while Gyan was just pleased to get a run-out in his first match, but reflected positively on how preparations are coming together ahead of the new campaign.

"It is a great thing for me as a striker to see him making chances," he continued."I want to score more goals.

"As a striker I need chances and we have the kind of players who can help me do my thing. The whole team is shaping up well which is a good sign."