Midfielder George Honeyman says the long wait to make his first start for Sunderland has been difficult.
The 22-year-old, who came off the bench twice in 2015 and 2016, was an unused substitute nine times this year.
He finally made his first start in Tuesday's FA Cup defeat by Burnley and told BBC Newcastle: "I am not used to playing for the first team, so it is not like I expect to play.
"It is tough to keep mentally preparing and thinking I am going to play."
Sam Vokes and Andre Gray scored for Burnley in the FA Cup third-round replay at Turf Moor as Sunderland's winless run was stretched to six matches.