Sunderland striker David Healy is hoping better times are ahead for both him and his club.

The Northern Ireland international striker did not make much of an impression with the Barclays Premier League club last season.

Previous manager Roy Keane signed him from Fulham in August 2008 but the striker found game-time limited before and after the Irishman's departure and scored just three goals for the club in all competitions. However, the arrival of Steve Bruce has given the 29-year-old hope for the future, after last season's disappointing 16th-placed finish.

He told Sky Sports News: "He's an inspirational manager who hopefully can get the best out of the players we have. We don't want another season like last season. Hopefully we've got enough to challenge for a top-10 place maybe.

"I've got a couple of years left on my contract and I feel as if I haven't done myself justice when given limited opportunities, although I still feel I gave something to the cause.

"But hopefully next year with a new manager and a new set of players I can have a little bit of a lift and get off to a good start next season."