Joel Asoro is refusing to rest on his laurels after opening his account for the 2017-18 season within minutes of his return to action.

The Swedish striker joined up with his team-mates over the weekend after featuring for Sweden during the U21 European Championships in Poland – and he made an instant impression.

With 60 minutes played Sunderland boss Simon Grayson made 10 changes, including Asoro, and he pounced on a goalkeeping error shortly after to double the Black Cats’ lead after Wahbi Khazri’s first-half opener.

Jeremain Lens completing the scoring in added time with an absolute rocket, as the Dutchman’s solo effort provided the cherry atop a satisfying evening for Grayson's side.



But Asoro, 18, is far from content and is determined to work hard to earn his chance in the first team.

“It’s good to be back and it’s great to be scoring again.

“I didn’t go on the pre-season trip to Austria [due to international commitments], so I joined up with the team ahead of the trip to Scotland and I was ready to work hard.”

He continued: “Pre-season gets harder and harder every year but that’s how it works and it’s important to build that platform for the season.

“It’s always good to have friends and me and Josh [Maja] lift each other up, and there’s also some healthy competition but it’s all positive and after the game we’ll go back to the room and play some FIFA.

“It’s not about who scored or played well, we’re just having fun and it’s been really exciting training and playing under the new manager, but we have to make sure we keep working hard.

“You have to earn the opportunity to play.”