Sunderland striker Roy O'Donovan has vowed to make his mark on the Premier League as he lives out his dream on Wearside.The 22-year-old Irishman was playing his football for League of Ireland Cork City when the Black Cats swooped to bring him to the North-East last summer.

He has had to bide his time since arriving at the Stadium of Light, but having forced his way back into the side for last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea following his recovery from a stomach muscle tear, he is determined not to budge.

O'Donovan said: "It is a dream come true. Every morning, I get up and go into training and there is a smile on my face constantly.

"It's a great club to be at and I am very happy.

"As a professional, you want to be involved more and play more games as time goes by, and hopefully now I can start making my mark here at this club."

O'Donovan was asked to partner £6million man Kenwyne Jones in attack last weekend, and will hope to retain his place as the Wearsiders attempt to end a run of four games without a win at Aston Villa.

Roy Keane's men are yet to taste victory on the road this season, a run of 15 games which has brought just three points and has contributed significantly for their slide to 17th place in the table.

They have not scored in their last four games, and that is a situation O'Donovan, who is yet to open his account for the club, is keen to address as he gets to grip with the pace and power of the Premier League.

He admitted: "That took a long time. Mostly, it is the speed and the intensity of the speed of the game.

"The League of Ireland is not a bad standard, but just the sheer athleticism of the Premier League is unbelievable and it took me a while to get used to it.

"But hopefully now I am adapted to it. I feel fresh after my break and hopefully I can push on now.

"I feel fit and hopefully I can play my part now in us staying in this league and doing well for the next eight games."

Even leading scorer Jones has only one goal in his last 19 games, although Keane has been delighted with his contribution to a team which until last weekend, had provided him with few chances.

But almost for the first time this season, the manager has a near-full squad from which to select with Anthony Stokes fit after illness and Danny Higginbotham, Ian Harte and the transfer-listed Liam Miller all having played for the reserves in midweek.

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