Victor Anichebe says he is working extremely hard to get back to full fitness to help Sunderland get out of their current slump and move away from the relegation zone.

Anichebe signed for the club on September 2 on a free transfer, becoming their ninth summer signing and linking up with former Everton manager David Moyes.

The Nigeria international has only played four minutes of Premier League football so far this season because of a troublesome groin injury.

He has been working hard in training since arriving at the Stadium of Light and there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for the striker.

Anichebe admits getting minutes on the pitch at every possibly opportunity will be crucial to his comeback.

He said: “I feel really good now, it is just about getting games and power into me and hopefully with a combination of first-team training games and reserve games, which I am happy to play to get back quicker, I will be fit and ready to help.”

Moyes will be glad to see Anichebe return to full fitness, with the Black Cats struggling at both ends of the field.

Only six league goals have been scored – the joint-second lowest this term – while 13 have been conceded from the first seven matches.

Sunderland have slipped to bottom in the table and are currently 1.75 to be relegated this season, with only Burnley shorter at 1.67.

Moyes’ men return to action on Saturday when they travel to Stoke City, who are just one place and one point above them. The hosts are 2.05 favourites, the draw is priced at 3.50 while the visitors are the 3.60 outsiders.