DeAndre Yedlin has settled well at Sunderland and is enjoying getting the playing time he wanted, but didn't get, with parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

The American has struggled to force his way into the first team picture at White Hart Lane, but, after a slow start, has established himself in the Black Cats' team since joining them on a season-long loan this summer.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo this week, Yedlin has revealed how much he is enjoying his team in the North East too, and regular game time in the top flight.

"I just wanted to get playing time this season," admits Yedlin

After having little joy in North London, Sunderland's new right-back believes it's been "huge" for him to "play straightaway" on Wearside, adding that "it's good for [his] confidence," which is understandable after a difficult time with Spurs.

Yedlin was a key player in the States for Seattle Sounders and remains a regular in his national team, so to be given few opportunities with the Londoners must have been strange, as well as tough to deal with.

However, he is looking good on Wearside now and showing just why he has been consistently called up for the USA despite a lack of playing time.

Yedlin was quick to give "credit" to his new teammates for this too though, saying that "it's not easy coming to a new club and settling it," but that the players around him at Sunderland have "made it very easy."

Above all though, a main reason for his strong performances has come from his simple desire to play football, with the full-back saying that he "just wanted to get playing time this season."

He wanted that playing time in the Premier League too, saying that "there were a few Championship clubs interested" in him as well, but that he was always to pick a top flight team, and now to be "playing regularly" in the division is "huge".

Lack of defensive discipline led to Everton defeat

Despite being happy with his minutes, things haven't been all smiles for Yedlin and his new club though as they sit in the relegation zone with just one win from their opening 11 games in the league.

Their latest defeat, their seventh of the season, came at the weekend away at Everton, with the Toffees running out 6-2 winners despite Sunderland managing to claw their way back to 2-2 from two goals down.

Speaking about this loss, Yedlin put it down to the team being "too anxious." He said that they all "went home happy" after beating local rivals Newcastle United 3-0 the week before, but that "it all went wrong again" at Goodison.

He continued, adding that "nobody was really thinking right" and that they should have settled with the point instead of "trying to go for the win," as this left the team exposed at the back, which led to them leaking a further four goals.

Yedlin held his hands up with this and said that he was at fault too for "pushing forward" at 2-2, because this "left the back three by themselves" and meant Sunderland "got hit on the counter."

However, he did not put the "blame" on the "new system," with Sam Allardyce opting for a 3-5-2 to accommodate the likes of Yedlin and Patrick van Aanholt, saying that "it comes down to the players on the field," not the formation they play in.

Southampton's visit is "big" now

It's up to those players to bounce back now and get a result at home to Southampton on Saturday ahead of another international break.

The team know the importance of the fixture too, with Yedlin admitting that it's a "big" game for them as it's a chance to "get [the] trust back" from the fans - something Sunderland "need" to succeed.

The Saints will travel to the North East for a 3PM kick off at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.