Sunderland play their second pre-season friendly of the summer when they face Liverpool in Nashville on Saturday night
Wilson Isidor is back in action at Sunderland and outlined his target to beat last season’s goal tally.
Isidor linked up with his team mates at their pre-season camp in Nashville earlier this week, having been granted some time off following his involvement at the World Cup with Haiti. The 25-year-old scored six goals last season, including some vital late strikes that helped the club make a flying start to their campaign.
Isidor could get his first minutes of the pre-season campaign as the Black Cats face Liverpool on Saturday night and the striker wants to make a fast start as he eyes an even stronger campaign this time around.
“The first year in the Premier League was okay for me personally with six goals and to qualify for the Europa League was amazing,” Isidor said.
“Now, I want to score more than that. It is the biggest and best league in the world and I can’t wait for the season. After what we achieved last season we want more and with our quality and our supporters, we are able to do it.”
“Now I want to score more than six goals because I’ve tasted it. If somebody says to me that the game on Saturday is friendly, he’s lying.
“It’s not possible to have a friendly game when you play Liverpool. We’ll give everything.”
Isidor is in the running for goal of the tournament after his strike against Morocco in Haiti’s final World Cup group game, a moment that he described as the highlight of his career to date.
“I’ve looked at it almost a thousand times, probably more,” Isidor told BBC Sport.
“I think about it every day and people remind me every day too. It was a great moment. We know the Haitian people were waiting for some emotion at the World Cup. When I saw the celebrations in the country, it made me so emotional. It’s the greatest moment of my career so far.”
Isidor outlined his determination to continue to repay head coach Régis Le Bris for bringing him to Wearside two years ago.
He said: “I was in a bad situation not playing in Russia. He [Le Bris] trusted me in the moment when no-one trusted me, so I will remember him for life.”
Le Bris could also welcome Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle back to action against Liverpool, with the pair having trained fully this week ahead of the game.