Sunderland midfielder Seb Larsson admits he is delighted by David Moyes’ arrival at the club as he eyes a fresh start this season.

The former Birmingham City star was thought to be on his way out of the club this summer but he may now play a key role under new boss Moyes.

He was voted the club’s Player of the Year two years ago under former coach Dick Advocaat but he struggled to force his way into Sam Allardyce’s plans regularly last season.

Larsson suffered a knee ligament injury which didn’t help his cause but, when fit, he was still unable to force his way into the first-team as much as he would have liked.

With 12 months left on his current contract, Larsson now has the chance to earn another deal and the 31-year-old admits Moyes’ arrival has been a huge boost for him.

“It was more than frustrating, extremely frustrating,” he told the Chronicle. “First of all to get my first ever [major] injury and miss three months of the season and then not to really get back into the team.

“I am used to playing and sitting on the sidelines is not what you want to do, so yes it was frustrating. You always think you should be starting but there were points last year when I thought I should be playing and I wasn’t.”

He added: “But at the same time I have always enjoyed my time, had a good time and been here a long time and it is a new manager [Moyes] and a new start. That is all I am thinking about.”

Larsson will now be hoping to help the club avoid the drop under Moyes this season, with Sunderland priced at 3.60 with Dafabet to go down.